
Class. 



t" -^ A- 



Book^ 



THE 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH, 

BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS; 

3 7 2 

COMPRISING ~* ■ 

A HISTORY OF THE PRESENT TOWNS 

OF • 

REHOBOTH, SEEKONK, AND PAWTUCKET, 

FROM THEIR SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME ; 
TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF 

ATTLEBOROUGH, CUMBERLAND, AND A PART OF SWANSEY 
AND BARRINGTON, 

TO THE TIME THiT THEY WERE SEVERALLY SEPARATED FROM THE ORIGINAL TOWIf. 



By LEONARD BLISS, Jr. 

" CoUigite fragmenta, ut non quid pereat." 

< 

BOSTON: 

OTIS, BROADERS, AND COMPANY. 

1836. 



^3L 



Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1836, 

by Leonard Bliss, Jr. 

in the Clerk's office of the District Court of Massachusetts 



rOSTON: 

Samuel N. Dickinson, Printer, 

Si Washington Street. 



PREFACE. 



The compilation of the materials for the following pages was 
commenced at the suggestion of an antiquarian friend, with the 
design of furnishing a brief sketch of the history of the old town 
of Rehoboth, for the collections of the Massachusetts Historical 
Society. But finding the field I had chosen, more fertile in 
historical materials than my most sanguine expectations had at 
first anticipated, I pushed my enquiries with considerable zeal ; 
and, encouraged by the example of several town histories which 
had recently made their appearance, determined, if I found suffi- 
cient patronage to warrant the expense of publication, to extend 
my sketch to a more complete history, and publish it in a sep- 
arate volume. With this intention, after I had collected pretty 
copious materials, I issued a prospectus, and commenced pro- 
curing subscribers, promising them the work within a few months. 
There has been, however, a delay of more than a year beyond 
the time first specified ; but it will, it is hoped, be received as 
a sufficient apology, that, besides having underrated, at the time,^ 
the labor of throwing the materials into form for the press, I 
have been constantly endeavoring to add to their stock ; and so 
successfully, too, as to be able to present to the reader more 
than fifty pages beyond the number promised in the prospectus. 

In introducing this volume, a few words are requisite respect- 
ing the principles adopted, and the method pursued, in writing 
it, and the sources whence the materials have been drawn. 



IV PREFACE. 

In the first place, I designed the volume to be a collection of 
well authenticated facts respecting the towns of which I wrote. 
Nothing has been inserted, which did not bear the stamp of 
truth. Tradition has been relied on, only so far as its authority 
was strengthened by collateral evidence ; and always, when ad- 
mitted, has been distinguished from fact. 

The method I have pursued in arrangement, is to give the 
history of the old town of Rehoboth, in its greatest extent, from 
the earliest period that it was inhabited by white men, to the 
present time ; dropping, however, that of those parts which have 
been since separated from the original town, at the time of their 
separation. I then give the history of Seekonk and Pawtucket 
separately, commencing at the period of their incorporation as 
independent towns. The events have been related, so far as 
practicable, in the order in which they occurred. The civil and 
ecclesiastical affairs of each town have been given in separate 
divisions ; but in the early history of the old town, when the 
support of the clergy was provided for by the town, as such, 
the constant mingling of civil and ecclesiastical transactions made 
it necessary, in order to give the events in the relations to each 
other in which they occurred, to state them in that connection. 
Succeeding the histories of the three towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk, 
and Pawtucket, are biographical sketches of individuals, not 
connected particularly with either the civil or ecclesiastical his- 
tory of either of those towns, who were yet natives of them, or 
have at some time made a permanent residence there. The 
few sketches that occur of Attleborough, Cumberland, Swansey, 
and Barrington, are interspersed throughout the earlier part of 
the history of Rehoboth. 

The sources from which the materials for this history have 
been drawn, are faithfully referred to throughout the whole work. 
It should here be remarked, that the records of the old town of 
Rehoboth, commencing in 1643, are still extant ; and, though 
in a hand writing, very difficult to decipher, and sometimes 
almost illegible, they afforded very abundant materials for the 



PREF AC E . 



earlier part of our history. From these very copious extracts 
have been made, which are marked with quotations. In all of 
these the exact language of the original has been preserved, and 
in some cases the orthography ; that the events of olden time 
might be presented to the reader in their own native costume. 

As a partial extenuation of faults and inaccuracies of style, 
that will doubtless be detected by the reader, the author should 
be permitted to say, that circumstances obliged him to complete 
his work in great haste j and that often, when the compositor has 
been putting into type one page, he has been penning the next. 
The materials were principally collected during vacations at 
college ; and the whole has been written in the few short in- 
tervals of relaxation afforded by a profession, which, if we may 
credit the testimony of worthy " Peter Pattieson," in " Old 
Mortality," may be supposed to allow to the mind few moments 
suited to the business of composition. But as a book of facts, 
this history, it is hoped, may be relied upon ; and the writer's 
only ambition, so far as regards style, has been to make those 
facts intelligible to the reader, trusting to the assertion of Pliny 
the Younger, that " historia quoquo modo scripta delectat." 

To all who have in any way aided him in his undertaking, 
the author would tender his thanks ; and would especially ac- 
knowledge his obligations to Albert G. Greene and William 
R. Staples, Esq,rs., of Providence, and to the Hon. Nahum 
Mitchell, Hon. James Savage, and Samuel G. Drake, Esq,. 
of Boston, for the kindness and readiness with which they have 
afforded every assistance in their power. 

With this introduction the following pages are now submitted 
to the public ; and should the author be found to have rescued 
from the past but a fragment of his country's history, he will 
feel himself amply compensated for labors, which none but 
those who have had experience in similar undertakings can fully 
realize. 

June, 1836. LEONARD BLISS, Jr. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



The old town of Rehoboth comprised, in its greatest extent, 
the present town, together with Seekonk, Pawtucket, Attle- 
borough, Cumberland, R. I., and that part of Swansey and 
Barrington, which was called by the Indians Wannamoiset.* 
The first purchase of land for the settlement of the town was 
made of Massassoit, in 1641 ; and was, according to the measure- 
ment of those times, " a tract eight miles square, "f and embra- 
ced what now constitutes the towns of Rehoboth, Seekonk, 
and Pawtucket. The second purchase was the tract called by 
the Indians, and after them by the English, Wannamoiset, and 
forms a part of Swansey and Barrington. The third and last 
purchase was the " JNorth Purchase," forming now Attleborough, 
Mass. and Cumberland, R. I. The last was formerly called 
" Attleborough Gore." In 1667, Wannamoiset was included 
in the- town of Swansey, which was then incorporated, inclu- 
ding, besides the present town, Somersett, Mass., and Barring- 
ton, and the greater part of Wari'en, R. I. The "North 
Purchase" was incorporated into a separate town, by the name 
of Attleborough, in 1694; and this was subdivided, in 1746, the 
"Gore" becoming Cumberland. The rest of the ancient town 
continued together till 1812, when Seekonk became a separate 
township, assuming its original Indian name|; and in 1828 

*The name " Mnllywdsset," which I take to be a strange corruption of the 
word Wannamoiset, is now given to that part of Barrington called the "Viall 
Neighbourhood . ' ' 

t This tract of land measures ten miles square. 

t Seekonk is composed of two Indian words, sfaki, meaning black, and honk, 

foose, — black goose, the Indian name for the wild goose, which is partly black, 
'he adjective siaki always loses the i when combined with other words, 
and sometimes becomes sek. — IVilliams s Key to the Indian Lan^vagc. 

This spot received this name, probably, from the circumstance, that great 
numbers of wild geese used frequently, in their semi-annual migrations, to 
alight in Seekonk river and cove. They frequently alight there now. 

1 



» HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

Pawtucket* followed the example and was separated from 
Seekonk. 

The first white settler within the original limits of Rehoboth 
was William Blackstone. He lived in what is now Cumber- 
land, R. I., on the river which bears his name, and about three 
miles above the village of Pawtucket. 

How or when he came to this country is not known. When 
Governour Winthrop and his company arrived at Charlestown, 
in 1630, they found Blackstone in quiet possession of Shaw- 
mut, the peninsula where the city of Boston now stands. The 
year 1628 is the eaihest date at which his name appears on the 
pages of our history. All we know of him previously to this is, 
that he was a non-conformist minister of the Episcopal church 
in England; and that, not willing to endure "the tyranny of the 
Lord-Bishops," he left the mother country, and sought an 
asylum in the wilds of JNorth America. The precise time when 
he landed on our shores, where he first settled, or when he es- 
tablished himself at Shawmut, are problems in his history 
which will, probably, never be solved. Lechford, who wrote 
in 1641, and who, says Mr. Savage [Winthrop, vol. I. 45] visited 
Blackstone in his new habitation above Pawtucket, thus speaks 
of him : "One Master Blackstone, a minister, went from Bos- 
ton, having lived there nine or ten yeares, because he would not 
joyne with the church ; he lives neere master Williams, but is 
far from his opinions. "f Having, with this, the date of his leav- 
ing Boston, an approximation to the time of his coming there 
may be made. He sold his lands on the peninsula, in 1634, 
and his removal may probably be placed in the spring of 
1635. J This would fix the time of his first settling at Shaw- 
mut in 1625 or 1626. "That Blackstone had occupied our 
peninsula several years, and with no slight advantage," says Mr. 
Savage in his admirable edition of Winthrop, "we may pre- 
sume from the expenses assessed on the several plantations, 
from Plymouth northward, for the campaign against Morton at 
Merry Mount, in 1628; his proportion, though the least, being 
more than one third of that to be paid by the settlers of Salem, 

* PaicfMcket is an Indian name, and was applied by the Indians to several 
places where there were streams, or ratlier falls of water. 

t Lechford, -page A-2.—Mass. Hist. Coll. iii. !!7, TInrd Sf r if s.—hecMoid visit- 
ed America in ]t)37.— Jl/r,.?*-. H!st. Coll. iii. 399, TIdrd S<rlcs. 

t See Memoir of William Blackstone, communicated by the late Samuel 
Davis, Esq. of Plymouth, in the Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 170—3, 2d Series. 



m 



HISTORY OF KEHOBOTH. 



before the cominoj of Endicott," [vol. I. p. 44.] The following 
is the assessment referred to, giving the sums paid severally by 
towns and individuals : 

Plymouth, £2 10s. Mrs. Thompson, ) £q j^^ 

Naumkeag, [Salem] 1 10 [Squantum neck] 5 
Piscataquack, 2 10 Mr. Blackstone [Boston] 12 

Jeffrey and Burslem, 2 00 Ed'w Hilton, [Dover] 1 00 
Natascot, 1 10 



Total £12 75. 

[Mass. Hist. Coll. iii. 63.] 

Governor Hopkins, in his " History of Providence," pub- 
lished in the Providence Gazette, 1765, — only ninety years 
after Blackstone's death, says, that Blackstone had been at 
Boston "so long" (when the Massachusetts colony came,) 
" as to have raised apple trees and planted an orchard." Thus 
we have an amount of concurrent testimony sufficient to estab- 
lish, beyond a doubt, the fact, that Blackstone pitched his tent 
at Shawmut (Boston), at an early period, — as early, certainly, 
as 1625 or 1626. 

This is corroborated, too, by the circumstance of the right of 
original proprietor having been allowed, to some extent, at least, 
to Blackstone by the Massachusetts colony, by virtue of pre- 
occupancy. There is, however, extant a tradition, that Governour 
Winthrop and his company, on their arrival, finding Blackstone 
in possession of the land they intended to occupy, were at first 
disposed to oust him, under pretence that they had received a 
grant of that tract from the king ; and a speech is put into his 
mouth on this occasion, comporting well with his proud inde- 
pendence of spirit, which would not allow his rights to be 
wrested from him, even by the hand that grasped the sceptre. 
" The king," answered Blackstone, in reply to their claim, 
" asserteth sovereignty over this New Virginia, (as New England 
was then sometimes called), in respect that John and Sebastian 
Cabot sailed along the coast, without even landing at any place ; 
and if the quality of sovereignty can subsist upon the substratum 
of mere inspection, surely the quality of property can subsist 
upon that of actual occupancy, which is the foundation of my 
claim."* This ingenious logic seems, as the tradition will have 
it, to have puzzled his antagonists ; for they agreed to purchase 

* This tradition is current in the neighbourhood where Blackstone last resid- 
ed ; and has been incorporated into a novel, in which a fancied daughter of 
Blackstone figures as the heroine. See " Humours of Eutopia," vol. 1. 



4 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. ^^^ 

his lands, reserving for him six acres on the peninsula of Shaw- 
mut. This is given but as a tradition : how far it is worthy of 
credence is submitted. The speech, it must be allowed, is bond 
fide, in the character of Blackstone. 

How far the settlers of Boston allowed Blackstone's claim as 
original proprietor, it is impossible fully to determine. But 
even a disposition to dispossess him would have been greater 
ingratitude, — to say nothing of the courtesies of gentlemen, of 
which our forefathers were certainly not destitute, — than their 
descendants would be willing to have charged upon Winthrop 
and his Puritan associates. For it is stated by Prince, in his 
Chronology, page 313, that the settlers of Charlestown having 
become sickly by reason of bad water, Mr. Blackstone went 
and invited them to come over and settle on the peninsula, tel- 
ling the Governour that he had found there an excellent spring of 
water, and urging him with pressing invitations to remove 
thither. 

Blackstone's cottage stood near a spring, on the south end of 
the peninsula.* Here he cultivated a garden, and had planted 
an orchard, — the first planted in Massachusetts. Snow, [Hist, 
of Boston, p. 52, 2d Edition] places the spot of his residence 
in the neighbourhood where the Alms House at that time stood ; 
and says, that the point, at which Craigie's bridge commences, 
is called, on the ancient plans of the town, "Barton's Point," 
and is the same formerly called "Blackstone's Point." 

He took the freeman's oath, May 18, 1631, being the first 
who took it, and before the passing of the order which restricted 
the privileges of freemen to church members. For Mr. Black- 
stone, though an ordained minister of the Church of England, 
was yet not only a non-conformist among conformists, but a 
non-conformist among non-conformists, — a sort of Ishmaelite in 
religion. He left England through a dislike to " the Lord- 
^ Bishops," and soon avowed himself equally displeased with 
" the Lord-Bretheren." 

His right to the soil by pre-occupancy, was recognized to a 
certain extent, at least, by the Massachusetts Colony ; and a 
portion of land at Boston was set oflf to him, as appears from 
their records [vol. I, p. 97]. At a Court, holden April 1, 
1633, "It is agreed that William Blackstone shall have fifty 

" " On the south side of Charles river mouth, on a point of land, called 
" Blaxton's Point," lives Mr. Blaxton, where he only has a cottage ; the neck 
of land from which the point runs being in Indian named Shawmut, after- 
wards Boston."— Pr/ncf's Chron. 309, new ed. Boston, 1826. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



acres of ground set off for him near to his house in Boston, to 
enjoy forever." This was, at least, one fourteenth of the whole 
peninsula. November 10, 1634, at a general meeting upon 
public notice, it was agreed that Edmund Quincy, Samuel Wil- 
bore, WiUiam Balstone, Edward Hutchinson, the elder, and 
William Cheeseborough, the constable, shall make and assess 
all these rates, viz. " a rate of £30 to Mr. Blackstone, a 
rate," &£c. This rate was levied "for Mr. Blackstone," and 
paid to him in purchase for his lands at Boston, as will appear 
from the following; 



DEPOSITION. 



" The deposition of John Odlin, aged about eighty-two 
yeares, Robert Walker, aged about seventy-eight yeares, 
Francis Hudson, aged about sixty-eight yeares, and William 
Lytherland, aged about seventy-six yeares. These Depo- 
nents being ancient dwellers and inhabitants of the town of 
Boston in New-England, from the first planting and settUng 
thereof, and continuing so at this day, do jointly testify and 
depose that in or about the yeare of our Lord one thousand six 
hundred thirty-and-four the then present inhabitants of said 
town of Boston (of vvhome the Honourable John Winthrop, 
Esq. Governour of the Colony was chiefe) did treate and agree 
with Mr. William Blackstone for the purchase of his estate and 
right in any lands lying within the said neck of land called Bos- 
ton, and for said purchase agreed that every householder should 
pay six shillings, which was accordingly collected, none paying 
less, some considerably more than six shillings, and the said 
sume collected was delivered and paid to Mr. Blackstone to his 
full content and satisfaction, in consideration whereof hee sold 
unto the then inhabitants of said town and their heirs and as- 
signs forever his whole right and interest in all and every of the 
lands lying within the said neck, reserving onely unto himselfe 
about six acres of land on the point commonally called Black- 
stone's Point, on part whereof his then dwelling house stood ; 
after which purchase the town laid out a place for a trayning 
field ; which ever since and now is used for that purpose, and 
for the feeding of cattell : Robert Walker and William Lyther- 
land farther testify that Mr. Blackstone bought a stock of cows 
with the money hee received as above, and removed and dw'elt 
near Providence, where hee lived till the day of his death. 



O HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

" Deposed this 10th day of June, 1684, by John OdHn, 
Robert Walker, Francis Hudson, and WiUiam Lyiherland, ac- 
cording to their respective testinionye. 
"Before us 

" S. Bradstreet, Governour, 
"Sam. Sewall, Assist." 
[Snow's Hist of Boston, p. 50 — 1.] 

Having disposed of all, or the greater part, of his lands in 
Boston, and finding the bigotry and intolerance of his iiew 
neighbours averse to that freedom of spirit, and liberty of con- 
science which he fled from England to enjoy, he again bade adieu 
to the abodes of civilization, and penetrated once more the gloomy 
forest, in search of an asylum ; preferring the untutored rude- 
ness of the savage to the civilized bigotry and intolerance of 
the Christian. 

The place he now selected, and which proved to be his last re- 
treat, was the Attleborough Gore, of history, on the banks of the 
river that perpetuates his name. His house he named "Study 
Hall." It stood near the east bank of the river, a few rods east 
of a knoll, which, from its being his favourite place of retirement 
and study, he called "Study Hill."* This spot is about three 
miles above Pawtucket, and a mile and a half above Valley 
Falls, on the west side of the stage road from Pawtucket to 
Worcester. This knoll or hillock, which appears to be wholly 
of alluvial earth, rises abruptly from the meadow like a pyra- 
mid, on the very brink of the river, to the height of sixty or 
seventy feet. It is now covered with beautiful young wood, 

* It has been stated by all who have undertaken to describe this retreat of 
Blackstone, — Davis \Mass. Hist Coll. x. 70 — :{, 2d Srries,] Snow, [Hist, of 
Boston, p. 52, 2d ed.} Baylies, [Memoirs of PI ij month Colony, ii. ]'J4.] Dagget, 
[Hist, of Attleborough, p. 2() ] that he built his house on ' Study Hill.' But a 
single glance, to a person on the spot, would be sufficient to convince him that 
this must be an erronr ; for the ascent of the hill, or knoll, as it is sometimes 
called, is so steep, that to have procured wood and water, or water alone, 
would have been a thing next to impossible. Besides reductio odabsvrdum, the 
Whipple family, in whose possession the land has ever remained since it was 
sold to them by Blackstone's son, John Blackstone, say that the house was in 
the meadow on the east side of the hill. And the Hon Judge Dexter, of 
Cumberland, who resides near the spot, tells me, that, within his recollection, 
Blackstone's cellar, with the stoning, was plainly to be seen ; and pointed out 
to me the spot, about four rods east of the hill, and two east from his grave. 
His well, with the stoning almost entire, is still to bo seen, a few rods south of 
the cellar and grave, on the second table of meadow. The meadow is divi- 
ded into three tables, elevated one above the other, which appear to be water 
formations. The house stood on the first, where still is seen the grave, and 
the well is on the second. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



from the base to the top, a heavy growth of timber having, 
within a few years, been cut off. The Indian name of the place 
was Waivepoonseag* This name is first mentioned in the 
Plymouth Records, in describing the boundaries of tlie North 
Purchase, in 1661, viz. — "From Rehoboth ranging upon Paw- 
tucket river, to a place called by the natives Wawtpooiiseag, 
where one Blackstone now sojournetli." Here, too, he planted 
an oichard, the first one planted in Rhode Island ; cultivated a 
garden, and lived for many years in entire seclusion from the 
world, with none to disturb his lonely retreat. "Many of the 
trees which he planted, about one hundred and thirty years 
ago," says Governour Hopkins, in 1765, "are still pretty thrifty 
fruit-bearing trees." Three apple trees are now standing, in 
the south end of Blackstone's meadow, and two of them bear 
apples. They appear to be very old, but probably grew fiom 
the sprouts of those planted by Blackstone. "He had the first 
of that sort," says the author last quoted, "called yellow sweet- 
ings, that were ever in the world, perhaps the richest and most 
delicious apple of the whole kind. Mr. Blackstone used fre- 
quently to come to Providence to preach the gospel, and, to 
encourage his young hearers, gave them the first apples they 
ever saw. It is said that when he was old and unable to travel 
on foot, and not having any horse, he used to ride on a bull 
which he had tamed and tutored to that use." [Hist, of Prov- 
idence. See Mass. Hist. Coll. ii. 174, 2d Series.] 

How Blackstone performed the labour of building his house 
at Boston, or at Cumberland ; how he took care of his stock of 
"cowes," (for he appears himself to have devoted much of his 
time to study;) whether he kept servants, or whether he per- 
formed all his labour with his own hands, history does not inform 
us. It is said, by tradition, that he had a servant, whose name 
was Abbot, and to whom he gave land on the ' Run' that 
bears his name. During his residence at Cumberland, Mr. 
Blackstone married Mrs. Sarah Stevenson of Boston, as appears 
by the Boston town records : " Mr. William Blackstone was 
married to Sarah Stevenson, widow, the 4th of July, 1659, by 
John Endicott, Governor." She was the widow of John Ste- 

* A writer in the Mass. Hist. Coll. (the late Samuel Davis, Esq. of Plym- 
outh,) supposes this to be properly the name of the brook now called " Ab- 
bot's Run,'' which enters the Blackstone, just below Valley Falls. He con- 
jectures the word to signify " the place where birds are ensnared or taken ; " — 
from icaine, the name of a species of goose, and poonseug, a term for nets or 
snares. See Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 171, 2d Series. 



8 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

venson of Boston, who had by her at least three children, — 
Onesimus, born 26th lOth mo. 1643 ; John, born — 7th mo. 
1645 ; and James, born Oct. 1st, 1653. His second son, John 
Stevenson, lived with his mother after her marriage with Mr. 
Blackstone ; and, after their decease, continued to reside on a 
part of Blackstone's land, granted him by the Court of Plym- 
outh, during the remainder of his life." [Daggett's Hist, of 
Attleborough.] Blackstone's wife died about the middle of 
June, 1673,* and he survived her only about two years, dying 
May 26, 1675,f a few weeks before the commencement of the 
Indian War, which laid in ashes his 'fair domain.' 

Mr. Blackstone made books the companions of his lonely and 
sylvan retreat, as we shall see by the following inventory of his 
estate and library, taken two days after his death. 
'^Inventory of the lands, goods and chattelh of Mr. William 

Blackstone : Taken, May 28, 1675, by Mr. Stephen Paine, 

and others of Rehoboth. 

"real, estate not prized. 

" Sixty acres of land and two shares in meadows in Provi- 
idence. The west plain, the south neck, and land about the 
house and orchard, amounting to two hundred acres, and the 
meadow called Blackstone's meadow. 

"library. 

3 Bibles, 10s. — 6 English books in folio, £2 

3 Latin books, in folio, 155. — 3 do. large quarto, £2 

15 small quarto, £l 17s. 6c?. — 14 small do. 14s 

30 large octavo, £4, — 25 small do. £1 5s, 

22 duodecimo, 

53 small do. of little value, 

10 paper books, 

Remainder personal, 

Total personal, 56 3 6 

* " Mrs. Sarah Blakstone the wife of Mr. William Blaxstonhuned about the 
middle of .lune, 1673." — Rehoboth Rrronh. 

t " Mr William B'ahston buried the 28th of May, 1675."— /&. Many of the 
ancient records mention the day of the burial, but not the day of the death of 
the persons. 1 have followed Snow, (Hist, of Boston,) who says Blackstone 
died the 26th, which, if he was buried the 28th, cannot be far from correct. 



£2 


10s. 


1 2 


15 


2 


11 6c?. 


5 


5 


1 


13 




13 




5 


15 


12 6 


40 


11 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



This note is made in the margin ; " This estate (the movea- 
ables,) was destroyed and carried away by the natives." [Plym- 
outh Colony Records, 1675.] [Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 173, 2d 
Series. Comm. by Samuel Davis, Esq.] Blackstone's library, 
as maybe seen from the above inventory, contained one hundred 
and eighty-six volumes, from folios to " paper books, " — a 
respectable library for those times, and for a private gentleman 
in the wilds of America. It is probable, or at least, not im- 
probable, that the "ten paper books" mentioned in the inven- 
tory, were manuscripts containing journals of his wanderings, 
and "golden opinions" purchased by "patient thought" on Study 
Hill. For it is not to be presumed that a man so devoted to 
study and retirement as Blackstone, and possessing a mind of that 
independent, original, and contemplative cast, could have suffer- 
ed its energies to run to waste, through the period of a long life, 
without having directed them to any specific object ; and had 
not the torch of the ruthless savage consigned his lucubrations 
to the flames, we might have known more of the life of this 
singular man, of whom there now remains little more than suf- 
ficient to awaken and excite our curiosity. 

The character of Blackstone, so far as developed to us, is 
one of peculiar interest and of singular eccentricity. He was one 
of the few whose spirits are centuries in advance of the age in 
which they are sent, as though by mistake, to take up their 
abode on earth. Born at a period when religion formed the 
whole business, instead of the mere pastime, of life ; and find- 
ing the freedom of conscience, so necessary to the enjoyment 
of that religion whose native air is liberty, trammelled by the 
shackles of iiJ"norance, and of bigotry, its inseparable companion ; 
he left the land of his fathers, — the friends of his youth, and 
the scenes of his boyhood sports, and sought an asylum on the 
stern and rock-bound shores of New-England. Here he found 
with the untutored savage that right which the polished Chris- 
tian had denied him, — "freedom to worship God." And when 
this far-off retreat was invaded by men stern and intoler- 
ant, and inheriting much of the bigotry of the mother coun- 
try, " he uttered no complaints, he provoked no quarrels ; " but 
quietly sold his lands, and again retired from the face of civili- 
zation, and again took up his solitary abode in the wilderness: 
and luckily for his peace, the tide of civilization had but jist 
reached him at the period of his death. It was on the occasion 
of his leaving Boston that he made the celebrated speech, which 
2 



10 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

tradition has preserved and handed down to us : " / came from 
England because I did not like the Lord-Bishops, hut I can- 
not join with you because I would not be under the Lord- 
Bret her en.'" * This speech gives us his character in bold reUef. 
It does not show him to have been morose and misanthropic, 
but singular and independent, and desirous of enjoying his in- 
dependence. With JByron, he "loved not man the less, but 
nature," and nature's God, and the free enjoyment of his gifts, 
the "more." 

"In his death," says Baylies, "this pilgrim father of Boston 
and Rehoboth was singularly happy. It happened a few days 
previous to the commencement of that direful war, which in a 
few days after gave his house and his books to the flames, and 
rendered his fair and cultivated domain a scene of desolation." 

He lies buried in classic ground, about two rods east of his 
favorite Study Hill, where two rude stones mark his grave.f 

His family here has long been extinct ; but his name will not 
be easily forgotten. It is identified with the river which flows 
past the site of his lonely dwelling, and with the canal which 
bears the produce of the interior of Massachusetts through the 
beautiful valley of the Blackstone to the city of Roger Wil- 
liams. And we hope and trust it will not be long ere the 
musing traveller will find it on some marble tablet, by the side 
of his spring in the metropolis of New-England, and over his 
grave on the banks of his stream.:]: 

Blackstone resided in New-England about fifty years, during 
which he saw the settlements of the colonists springing up in 
every part of what, when he first beheld h, was one unbroken 
wilderness. But were his spirit permitted now to revisit the 
scenes of his former exile, how great the change he would wit- 
ness! Almost in v^ain would he search for the spot where he 
once inhabited. Where stood his lonely cottage on the wild 

*Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 171—2; 2d Series. 

tit is stated in the " Memoir of Blackstone" in the Mass. Hist. Coll. x. 
170 — 3, 2d Series, that " he lies buried on Study Hill, where it is said a flat 
stone marks his grave." This is an errour. His grave is by the side of Study 
Hill, about two rods east of it. There is no " flat stone " now visible; but 
simply rude stones of partly chrystallized quartz at the head and foot of the 
grave. 

^President Kirkland and his lady, I have been informed, visited Cumberland 
a few years since, to ascertain the place of Blackstone's grave, with a view to 
erecting a monument over it; but unfortunately meeting with a person who 
knew little of Blackstone and still less respecting the place of his burial, they 
returned, concluding that the spot could not be identified. 



HISTORY OF KEHOBOTH. 11 

peninsula of Shawmut, he would now behold, " rising from out 
the wave," 

" As fi-om the stroke of the enchanter's wand," 
and teeming with an active and intelligent population, the beau- 
tiful city of Boston. Where then he beheld the wigwam of the 
savage, he would now see the hall of legislation and the temple 
of learning. Where grew his young and thrifty orchard, and 
where bloomed the rose in his garden, now ai-ise mansions of 
elegance and grandeur, 

" On swelling columns heaved, — the pride of art." 
And perhaps the very spot where he sheltered his cattle may 
be the siie of the Tremont or of Faneuil Hall. The bay, 
whose bosom then felt nought but the light canoe of the Indian, 
he would now behold studded with the sail of every nation, and 
wiiitened with the canvas of a prosperous commerce. The 
shores where the young Indian gathered his shells, he would 
now see lined with wharves, laden with the products and luxu- 
ries of every clime. 

Nor is the valley of the Blackstone hardly less changed. 
Little, but Study Hill and the beautiful river that rolls at its 
base, remains of its original features. It is true that he might 
see a remnant of his once beautiful orchard, and point out, per- 
haps, the stump of his favourite tree;* — might find among the 
brakes and shrubs the well he stoned and from which he drank, 
and point to the site of his lonely dwelling ; and, when he 
glanced at the spot where he ordered his ashes to be laid, might 
sigh over the ingratitude which had denied him a stone to record 
his name ; but he would find little to gratify his taste for soli- 
tude, and little that reminded him of his former solitary and 
peaceful abode. The forests have been levelled away, and 
even his favourite stream has not remained unchanged by time.f 
Smiling villages have sprung up in quick succession on its 
banks, at almost every winding of its course ; and the howl of 
the wild beast and the yell of the savage have given place to 
the noise of the loom and the hum of the spindle. 

* His favourite tree is said to have stood just south of Study Hill, where the 
remnant of a stump and roots of a tree were pointed out to me, as those which 
belonged to it. They more probably belong to one of its sprouts. 

t The river, within forty years past, I am informed by the aged of the in- 
habitants, has changed and enlarged its channel at this place. It now washes 
the very base of the hill, whereas the margin of the river was formerly three 
rods west of it. 



12 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

Concerning Blackstone's family little is known. We have 
no knowledge of his having been married till his marriage with 
Mrs. Stevenson, July 4, 1659, by Governour Endicott. Snow, 
in his history of Boston, supposes that Blackstone did not leave 
Boston till as late as 1638 ; and states in support of this suppo- 
sition, that he had land allotted him at Muddy river in Janua- 
ry of this year ; and afterwards adds, that in this allotment he 
had the portion of three heads allotted him. Mr. Savage, in 
his Notes to Winthrop's Journal, [vol. I. 45,] supposes this to 
be an errour, arising from the name of William Bahtone being 
mistaken for that of William Blackstone. If Blackstone had 
land allotted him at Muddy river in 1638 by the people of Bos- 
ton, it must have been in consequence of his owning an estate 
in Boston ; for it will be recollected that when he sold the prin- 
cipal part of his estate there, in ] 634, he reserved to himself 
six acres, which as yet we find no record of his having sold. Mr. 
Snow infers from his having the portion of three heads assigned 
him, in the allotment referred to, that his family, at this time, 
consisted of three persons. But if Mr. Snow is incorrect, (and 
Mr. Savage we should be surprised to find otherwise than cor- 
rect,) we have no record of Blackstone having any one with 
him till his marriage with Mrs. Stevenson ; but it seems rather 
too much to suppose that he could have lived, thus isolated as 
he was from the world, without the aid of servants. 

Mr. Blackstone had one son by his marriage with Mrs. Ste- 
venson, John Blackstone, born at Rehoboth ; but at precisely 
what time I am not able to learn, as no record of his birth is to 
be found on the town books. This was, so far as we are ac- 
quainted with his history, his only child.* Of him we are able 
to learn but little, nor does he otherwise interest us than as the 
son of Blackstone.f He was a minor when his father died, and 
had guardians appointed him by the Plymouth Court, as ap- 
pears by the Records : "June 1st, 1675. — Lieut. Hunt, En- 
sign Smith and Mr. Daniel Smith are appointed and authorized 

* It IS erroneously stated in the short sketch of Blackstone, in the Mass. 
Hist. Coll. X. 170 — 3, 2d Series, to which I have had occasion frequently to 
refer, that he left two children, a son " and a daughter married to Mr. John Ste- 
venson." This errour probably arose from John Stevenson being called the 
son-in-law of Blackstone. This, as has been seen, he became by the mar- 
riage of his mother with Mr. Blackstone. 

t For what is here stated concerning John Blackstone, I am indebted, next 
to tradition particularly to Mr. Dagget's excellent and faithful history of 
Attleborough. ^^ •' 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 13 

by the Court to take some present care of the estate of Mr. 
WilHam Blackstone deceased, and of his son now left by him ; 
and to see that at the next Court he do propose a man to the 
Court to be his guardian ; which in case he do neglect, the 
Court will then see cause to make choice of one for him." — 
Plymouth Col. Rec. 

He liv^ed on his paternal inheritance till 1692, when, having 
squandered his estate by his intemperate and idle habits, he sold 
his lands to David Whipple, and soon after removed to Provi- 
dence. Here he labored in the occupation of a shoemaker ; and it 
is probable that here he married his wife Katharine, as no record 
of his marriage appears either on the Rehoboth or Attleborough 
Records. He continued to reside in Providence till 1713, when 
he returned to Attleborough, and, with his wife, was legally 
warned out of town. For what cause is not stated, but may be 
conjectured. He afterwards removed, as tradition says, to Con- 
necticut, and settled not far from New Haven ; where, I have 
been credibly informed, were living a few years since a family 
of the same name, inheriting the peculiarities, for which the 
first of the name here was distinguished, and with the same 
unconquerable love of solitude.* Tradition says also, that 
a son of John, and grandson of Mr. William Blackstone, 
fell at the taking of Louisburg, in the French war, whither he 
marched in the capacity of a Lieutenant. 

His son-in-law, John Stevenson, came with his mother, on 
her marriage with Mr. Blackstone. He was then about four- 
teen years of age ; he continued with them until their decease, 
and proved himself very serviceable in their declining years. 
For his filial attention and kindness the Court of Plymouth re- 
warded him with a part of Mr. Blackstone's estate, as appears 
by the following order, passed June 10th, 1675, about two 
weeks after his death. 

"Whereas the Court is informed that one whose name is 
John Stevenson, son-in-law to Mr. William Blackstone, late 
deceased, was very helpful to his father and mother in their 
life-time, without whom they could not have subsisted as to a 
good help and instrument thereof, and he is now left in a low 
and mean condition, and never was in any, recompensed for his 

* The Hon. Francis Baylies informed me, that some years since, wiiile trav- 
elling in Connecticut, he heard of a family there of the name of Blackstone, 
who were noted for their eccentricities, particularly for their love of solitude. 



14 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

good service aforesaid, and if, (as it is said at least,) his father- 
in-law engaged to his mother at his marriage with her, that he 
should be considered with a competency of land out of the said 
Blackstone's land, then lived on, which hath never yet been 
performed ; and forasmuch as the personal estate of the said 
William Blackstone is so small and inconsiderable, that he the 
said Stevenson cannot be relieved out of it ; this Court, there- 
fore, in consideration of the premises, do order and dispose fifty 
acres of land unto the said John Stevenson, out of the lands of 
the said William Blackstone, and five acres of meadow, to be 
laid out unto him by Ensign Henry Smith, and Mr. Daniel 
Smith, and Mr. Nathaniel Paine, according as they shall think 
meet, so as it may be most commodious to him or as little pre- 
judicial to the seat of Mr. William Blackstone as may be. By 
order of the Court for the jurisdiction of New Plymouth." — 
Plym. CoL Rec* 

" Stevenson acquired a taste for solitary life by living with 
Blackstone, and resided here, (it is believed, alone,) till his 
death. There is no evidence of his ever having been married. 
His time was devoted to the cultivation of his lands and to the 
pleasures of hunting. He died Sept. 16, 1695. His brother, 
James Stevenson, of Springfield, was appointed his administra- 
tor; who returned an inventory, Oct. 11, 1695, from which it 
appears that his whole estate was valued at £57 55. 2J. His 
house, lands, and meadows at £50. His gun, cutlass, and 
cartouch box, I85." &;c. Sic. — Daggeifs History of Attleho- 
rousch. 



Next to William Blackstone came the celebrated Roger Wil- 
liams, and pitched his tent for a while on the ground which after- 
wards became Rehoboth. His early history, like that of Black- 
stone, is, to a great extent, involved in obscurity. He was born 
in 1599, and, as is generally supposed, was a native of Wales,t 
and educated at Oxford. J After having left the Univer- 

* Those who are desirous of seeing the bounds of this grant, as also the 
bounds of the land of John Blackstone, and thus ascertain the precise location 
of Blackstone's estate, will find them minutely described in Daggett's Histo- 
ry of Attleborough, pp. 31. and 32. 

1 Tradition places his nativity in Wales, and his education at Oxford. 

X Wood in his Athenae Oxonienses, after giving an account of a gentleman 
named Roger Williams, says, " I find another Roger Williams, later than the 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 15 

sity, he commenced the study of the law ; but finding the- 
ology more congenial to his taste, he soon directed his attention 
to that, and received Episcopal orders. His non-conformity to 
the established Church of England, brought upon him the dis- 
pleasure of the " Lord-Bishops," and exposed him to severe 
persecutions. To enjoy therefore that liberty of conscience, of 
which he was ever, both in England and America, the bold and 
fearless advocate, and which, on the establishment of his col- 
ony at Providence, formed one of the prominent features of his 
government, he left the mother country and came to New-Eng- 
land. He arrived at Nantasket, (Hull) February 5, 1631, and 
was settled over the church at Salem, as teaching elder, in con- 
nexion with Rev. Samuel Skelton, April 12th, of the same 
year. With his settlement here the Court of Boston were dis- 
pleased, and interfered, as appears from Winthrop's Journal 
[vol. I. p. 53, Savage's ed.] : "At a Court holden at Boston, 
April 12, the day of Mr. Williams's settlement at Salem, 
' (upon information to the Governour, that they of Salem had 
called Mr. Williams to the office of teacher,) ' a letter was 
written from the Court to Mr. Endicott to this effect : " That 
whereas Mr. Williams had refused to join with the congregation 
at Boston, because they would not make a public declaration of 
their repentance for having communion with the churches of 
England, while they lived there ; and besides, had declared his 
opinion that the magistrate might not punish a breach of the 
Sabbath, nor any other offence, as it was a breach of the first 
table ; therefore they marvelled they should choose him without 
advising with the Council ; and withal desiring him that they 
would forbear to proceed till they had conferred about it." — 
May the 18th, 1631, Mr. Williams took the oath of freemen. — 
The persecution thus early commenced by the Court at Boston, 
soon increased to such a degree that, before the close of the 

former, an inhabitant of Providence in New'England, and autlior of (1.) A Key 
to the lavguage of JVac England, London, 1643, oct. (2). The Hireling Minislry 
none of Christ's, or a Discourse of the Propagation of the Gospel of Christ 
Jesus, London, 1652, qu. &c. But of what University the said Wilhams was, 
if of any, I know not; or whether a real fanatick or Jesuit." "This assertion of 
Wood renders it doubtful whether Mr. Williams was educated at Oxford, or 
elsewhere. In the absence of all evidence, it might be thought more proba- 
ble that he received his education at Cambridge, where a large portion of the 
Puritans were educated. Coke, himself, (Sir Edward, the supposed patron of 
Roger Williams,) was a graduate of Cambridge, and would probably prefer to 
place Williams there. Inquiries have been sent to England, for information 
on this point, but they have not been successful." — Prof. Knotoles's Mem. of 
Roger Williams, p. 24. 



16 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

summer, Mr. Williams was forced to leave Salem and retire to 
Plymouth ; where he preached as assistant to Mr, Ralph Smith, 
about two years. Gov. Bradford thus speaks of him : " He 
was freely entertained among us, according to our poor ability, 
exercised his gifts among us, and after some time was admitted 
a member of the church, and his teaching well approved ; for 
the benefit whereof I shall bless God, and am thankful to him 
ever for his sharpest admonitions and reproofs, so far as they 
agreed with truth." — [Prince's Chron. p. 377, new ed. Boston, 
1826.] Morton admits that he "was well accepted as an as- 
sistant in the ministry." [Memorial, p. 151, Davis's ed.] In 
1633, Mr. Williams obtained a dismission from the church at 
Plymouth, having been invited by the church which he had 
previously left at Salem; to return, and assist Mr. Skelton, 
whose declining health unfitted him for his duties. He accord- 
ingly returned, and, after the death of Mr. Skelton, in 1634, 
was made sole minister of the church. His return to Salem 
was, probably, in August, 1633. [See Prof Knovvles's Mem. 
of Roger Williams, p. 55, note.] Here, as elsewhere, he was 
bold and fearless in proclaiming his tenets, both religious and 
political. He asserted that the Charter of Massachusetts 
was invalid and unjust, as the soil and sovereignty were 
not purchased of the natives. He even refused to commune 
with the members of his own church, unless they would 
separate themselves from the other churches of New-England. 
[Winthrop, vol. I. p. 166, Savage's ed.] These were unpal- 
atable doctrines to the people of that day, and drew upon him 
the united opposition and two-fold virulence of Court and Cler- 
gy. He was severely reprimanded and threatened by the 
Court ; but as he firmly believed it the prerogative of man to 
think as he pleased and speak as he thought, he would neither 
desist for the threats of enemies nor the entreaties of friends ; 
and in October,* 1635, was accordingly sentenced to perpetual 
banishment, and ordered to depart out of the Colony within six 
weeks. — [Winthrop, vol. I. p. 171,^avage's ed.] 

The sentence was in these terms: "Whereas, Mr. Roger 
Williams, one of the elders of the church of Salem, hath 
broached and divulged divers new and dangerous opinions, 
against the authority of Magistrates ; as also writ letters of defa- 
mation, both of Magistrates and churches here, and that before 

* Winthrop places the banishment in October, but the Mass. Colonial Rec- 
ords, [vol I. p. 163,] state that it took place Nov. 3, 1G35. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 17 

any conviction, and yet maintaineth the same without any re- 
tractation ; it is therefore ordered, that the said Mr. Williams shall 
depart out of this jurisdiction within six weeks now next ensu- 
ing, which, if he neglect to perform, it shall be lawful for the 
Governour and two of the Magistrates to send him to some place 
out of this jurisdiction, not to return any more without license 
from the Court." 

Mr. Williams obtained permission to remain till spring ; but as 
he still persisted in preaching in his own house, orders were 
sent, Jan. 11, 1636, to seize him and send him to England. 
Being seasonably apprized of the designs of the Court, he es- 
caped their hands, and, in compliance with the secret advice of 
Governour Winthrop, steered his course for Narraganset Bay. 
His journey was by water, in the very heart of winter ; and 
after suffering incredible hardships from cold, and hunger, and 
fatigue, for fourteen weeks, he arrived and pitched his tent at 
Seekonk, afterwards Rehoboth. In describmg this journey in a 
letter to Major Mason, written thirty-five years afterwards [" June 
22, 1670, ut vulgo,'' ] he says, " I was sorely tossed for one four- 
teen weeks, in a bitter winter season, not knowing what bread or 
bed did mean." He obtained of Ousamequin a grant of land 
now included in the town of Seekonk.* It is probable that this 
was a mere verbal grant, as no record of it is to be found, nor 
any mention of a record ; and probably also, it was simply a 
permission to settle on the land, without any specified portion 
being assigned. 

The spot in Seekonk where he fixed his dwelling, we are 
assured from good authority, was a short distance above the 
Central Bridge, and on the east side of the Cove, on what is 
called Manton's Neck.f His house, we learn from the same 
source, stood near a spring on this neck. There are four differ- 
ent springs in this place, for which different individuals claim this 

*" 1 first pitched, und began to build and plant at Secunk, now Rehoboth." 
Letter to Major Mason. 

t Prof. Knowles, in his Memoir of Roger Williams, says, in a note, p. 101, 
that " the venerable Moses Brown assured him, that he had ascertained this 
fact, to his own satisfaction." Since commencing this history, I called on 
Mr. Brown, to know the grounds on which he assured himself of this fact : 
he told me that he, some years since, found among the manuscripts of his 
grandfather a paper which stated that Roger Williams lived near a spring on 
Manton's Neck. He said, that immediately on finding this paper, he rode to 
Seekonk, to ascertain, if possible, where Roger Williams lived ; but that three 
different springs were pointed out to him, on Manton's Neck, by different 
individuals, as Roger Williams's springs, — all within the compass of half a 

3 



18 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

honour ; but the one to which it most probably belongs is a few 
rods from the east bank of the cove, in a lot owned by Ham- 
mond Cole, about 15 rods east of his house, and about 20 rods 
nearly north of the house of Samuel Daggett. This is a clear 
and beautiful spring, and the water in the warmest weather in 
summer, is said to be as cool as that of any well in the town of 
Seekonk. Some of the inhabitants pretend to point out the 
precise spot where Roger Williams's house stood ;* but as his 
house was but a temporary cottage, to leave it to tradition to 
designate the spring from which he drank, is as far as we should 
be willing, here, to yield to her authority. 

Here Mr. Williams supposed himself to be without the limits of 
either the Massachusetts or Plymouth patents, and that he might 
rest in quiet, with none to molest or disturb ; but he soon found 
himself mistaken, and learned that Seekonk was not to be his 
home. For Mr. Winslow, Governour of Plymoiith Colony, 
wrote to him, informing him that Seekonk was within their juris- 
diction, and advising him to remove to the land on the other 
side of the river, where he would be beyond the claims of any 
patent, and where the country would be free before him. " I 
testify and declare," says Roger Williams, (in a letter dated 
Providence, 13th of the 10th month, 1661,) "in the holy pres- 
ence of God, that when at my first coming into these parts, I 
obtained the lands of Secunk of Osamaquin the then chief 
Sachem on that side, the Governour of Plymouth, (Mr. Wins- 
low,) wrote to me in the name of their Government, their claim 
to Secunk to be in their jurisdiction, as also their advice to 
remove but over the river unto this side, (where now, by God's 
merciful providence, we are,) and then I should be out of their 
claim, and be as free as themselves, and lovinsf neighbours 
together. 

On the reception of this information and advice, Mr. Williams, 
still buoyed up with the hope that the globe yet held some spot 
sacred to freedom, abandoned Seekonk, and, embarking in a 

mile.N/ There are now four springs within that space, one havino- broken out 
since Mr. Brown visited the spot; and I am informed by the "oldest of the 
inhabitants, that two of the four have broken out within their recollection. 
Of the two remaining, the one on the land of Mr. Hammond Cole has the 
highest claim to being the spring in question. It is the largest and best, and 
the water boils from the ground rapid and clear ; whereas the other, which is 
a short distance to the south east of this, has more the appearance of a mud- 
puddle. Tradition, also, points the most clearly to this. 
• In the north-west corner of Mr. Daggett's house lot. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH, 19 

canoe with five others,* proceeded down and across the stream. 
As they approached the Httle cove, on the west side of the 
river, between India and Central bridges, they were hailed by a 
party of Indians with the friendly interrogation, " What cheer V^ 
a common English phrase of salutation, which they had learned 
from the traders on the coast, and equivalent to the modern 
Hoiv do you do 1 At this spot they went on shore ; and here is 
a rock at the water's edge, on which it is said Roger Williams 
and his company landed. The rock to this day bears the name 
of Roger Williams's Rock ; and is the resort of numei'ous pil- 
grims, — the citizen and s'ranger, — the fair of the city, and the 
student of the University, — many of whom, in testimony of 
their veneration for the memory of this father of Rhode Island, 
have handed their names down to us, "engraven deep " on the 
rock on which he landed. Re-embarking at this place, he pas- 
sed round India Point and Fox Point, and proceeded up the 
river on the west side of the peninsula, near the mouth of the 
Moshassuck river, where he landed, as tradition says, near a 
spring, south-west of St. John's Church.f 

To the town which he here founded, Roger Williams, with 
his characteristic piety, and in grateful remembrance of " God's 
merciful providence to him in his distress," gave the name of 
Providence. 

The precise period at which Roger Williams left Seekonk, 
never has been, and, probably, never can be, satisfactorily as- 
certained. An approximation, however, may be made to it. 
The writ for seizing him and sending him to England was issued 
Jan. 11, 1636 ; and he " began to build and plant at Secunk," 
which could not have been earlier than the middle of April, 
if so early. In the same letter to Major Mason, above quoted, 
he says his removal occasioned him tbe " loss of a harvest that 
year ; " from which remark we may reasonably infer that the 
corn had attained a considerable growth before he left Seekonk. 
On the 26th of July, he wrote a letter to Governour Vane, which 
he dated at Providence. For these principal reasons, among 
others of minor consequence, Professor Knowles in his Memoir 
of Roger Williams, concludes that he removed from Seekonk 

* William Harris, John Smith, (miller,) Joshua Verin, Thomas Angell, and 
Francis Wickes. — R. I. Register, 1828, article furnished hij Moses Brown. 

t " Tradition has uniformly stated the place where they landed, to be at the 
spring south-west of the Episcopal Church, at which a house has recently 
been built by Mr. Nehemiah Dodge." — Moses Brown. 



20 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

to the place where Providence now stands, not far from the mid- 
dle of June, 1636. It appears clear enough, that it must have 
been between the time of planting and the '26th of July. The 
foundation of the Colony, which Roger Williams planted in 
Rhode IsUmd, he laid on the broad basis of civil and religious 
freedom, making Providence to others, what he had found it for 
himself, — the home of the exile and the asylum of the oppres- 
sed. 

In 1643, he went to England to obtain a charter for his Colo- 
ny conforming to their principles of government ; and arrived 
with it at Boston in September, 1644. In 1651 he went again, 
as agent for the Colony, to England, and continued there till 
1654. On his return he was chosen President of the Gov- 
ernment, in which station he continued till 1657. He died at 
Providence, sometime between January 16th and May 10th, 
1683, in the 84th year of his age, fifty-two years having 
elapsed since his arrival in America. 

His character is one, which, if few are found to imitate, all 
are constrained to admire. His whole soul, like ihat of Black- 
stone, seemed constantly struggling with a spirit beyond the 
feelings and the knowledge of the age in which he lived. Yet 
not like him was he contented with merely enjoying the bles- 
sings of liberty himself, but, nerved up his enei'gies to break the 
shackles in which he found himself and the people enslaved. 
He did not quietly brood his opinions in secret, — opinions which 
concerned the dearest interests of mankind ; but boldly pro- 
claimed them before the world, and fearlessly asserted, in the 
face of kings and bishops, of court and clergy, what he deemed 
his rights and the unalienable rights of man. The principles 
which he laid down, both in religion and in politics, and which 
were then considered but as the distempered dreams of the fan- 
atick, the experience of two centuries has proved to be correct. 
Toleration, — then considered as a plant of strange growth, or 
as a poisonous weed to blight all the sweet scented flowers in 
the garden of God, the trial of two centuries has shown to be 
native-born and healthful, within whose balmy fragrance only 
religion can ever vigorously flourish. His mind, original and in- 
dependent, determined to strike out its own course. In religion 
and in politics he thought and acted for himself. While he gen- 
erously tolerated all, he blindly followed none. He was as 
magnanimous as he was tolerant ; showing himself superior to 
the meaner passions of malice and revenge. For, living in the 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

neighbourhood of several formidable tribes of Indians, over 
whom he possessed great influence, he could at any time have 
stirred them up to avenge himself for his banishment ; but so far 
was his disposition from pursuing such a course, that he con- 
stantly strove to keep them in peace with the colonies of Plym- 
outh and Massachusetts Bay. His writings evince a mind of a 
superiour order ; and in those controversial, especially in his con- 
troversy with Mr. Cotton, respecting toleration, he shows him- 
self a thorough master of argument. He wrote " A Key to 
the Language of New -Engl and,'' London, 1643. •'' The 
Bloody Tenet of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience, dis- 
cussed, in a conference between Truth and Peace,'''' &c. 1644; 
" The Bloody Tenet yet more bloody, by Mr. Cotton's endeav- 
our to wash it white in the blood of the Lamb," London, 1652 ; 
" The Hireling Ministry none of Christs or a Discourse 
touching the propagating the Gospel of Christ Jesus," Lon- 
don, 1652; ^'Experiments of Spiritual Life and Health, and 
their preservatives,'" London, 1652; and " George Fox digged 
out of his Burrowes," Boston, 1676, which was written against 
Fox and Burrows, and gives an account of Roger Williams's 
dispute with the Quakers. An answer to it was published in 
1679, entitled, "-4 New-England frebrand quenched." 

The real founder of Rehoboth was the Rev. Samuel New- 
man. He was born at Banbury, England, in 1600 ; educated 
at the University of Oxford ; and, after having been the minis- 
ter of seven different churches in the land of his nativity, re- 
moved to New-England in 1636 or 1638.* After his arrival 
here, he spent a year and a half at Dorchester, four and a half 
or five years at Weymouth ; and then, with the majority of his 
congregation, removed to a place called by the Indians Seekonk, 
to which he gave the name of Rehoboth. He was a man of 
learning and talent, an excellent minister, and wrote a Concord- 
ance of the Bible, which far surpassed any thing of the kind 
before written. He died July 5, 1663. A full account of his 
life and writings will be given when we come to that year. 

From the quit-claim deed of Philip, given in 1668, it appears 
that the first purchase of land afterwards included in the original 
town of Rehoboth was made of Ousamequin, more commonly 

* We are able to give high authority in support of both of these dates. 
Mather, Magnalia, iii. 113 — 116. gives 1638 ; as also Eliot in his Biog. Die. 
Judge Davis, Mort. Memorial, 217, adheres to the earlier date, and also Allen 
in his Biog. and Hist. Die. — See also year 1663. 



92 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

known to the English by the name of Massassoit, In 1641, by Mr. 
John Brown and Mr. Edward Winslow, of Plymouth. "Where- 
as Osarnequin, sachem, deceased, did, for good and valuable 
considerations, in the year one thousand six hundred forty and 
one, give, grant, convey assurance of, and confirm unto Mr. John 
Brown and Mr. Edward Winslow, deceased, a tract of land of 
eight miles square, situate, lying and being both on the east and 
west sides of a river called Palmer's river, to the property and 
behoof of the townsmen of Seacunck, alias Rehoboth ; I 
Philip," &ic. This tract comprised the present towns of Reho- 
both, Seekonk, and Pawtucket, and is about ten miles square. 
It had been granted by Plymouth Court, as appears from the 
records of the proprietors of Reboboth, to certain persons (of 
Hingham, probably,) for the settlement of a town, and Mr. 
Brown and Mr. Winslow were appointed agents to purchase it 
for the Colony : " Whereas the Court of Plymouth was pleased, 
in the year 1641, or thereabouts, to grant unto the inhabitants 
of Seaconk (alias Rehoboth) liberty to take up a trackt of 
lands for theare comfortable subsistance, containing the quantity 
of eight miles square ; and the Court was pleased to appoint Mr. 
John Browne and Mr. Edward Winslow for to purchase the fore- 
said trackt of land of Asamecum, the chief sachem and owner 
thereof, which accordingly hath beene effected, and the purchase 
paid for by the foresaid inhabitants, according to the Court 
order," &-c. — Proprietors Records, vol. I. p. 1. 

No deed of this purchase from Massassoit is to be found on 
record, or in existence; but there is a deposition of John Hazell 
on the Plymouth Colony Records, [vol. II. p. 07.] taken Nov. 
1, 1642, which confirms the purchase : "John Hasell (Hazell) 
affirmeth that Assamequine chose out ten fathome of beads, at 
Mr. Williams's and put them in a basket, and affirmed that he 
was fully satisfied therewith for his land at Seacunck ; but he 
stood upon it that he would have a coat more, and left the beads 
with Mr. Williams and willed him to keep them untill Mr. Hubbard 
came up." " He affirmeth the bounds were to Red Stone Hill 
VIII. miles into the land, and to Annawamscoate VII. miles 
down the water." No record or deed from the colony to the town 
at this time is to be found on the Plymouth Records ; but ref- 
erence to, and acknowledgment of, a grant of this land to sev- 
eral individuals, is made in the confirmation deed of the colony, in 
1685: "Whereas Mr. Daniel Smith, as agent of the town of 
Rehoboth, answered at this Court, and showed, declared, and 



HISTOKY OF RKHOBOTH. 23 

made appear unto this Court by several writings and records, 
that the bounds of the said town of Rehoboth are as followeih : 
The first grant of the said township being eight miles square, 
granted in the year 1641, unto Mr, Alexander Winchester, 
Richard Wright, Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. Joseph Pecke, Mr. 
Stephen Paine, and divers others, for the settling of a town, 
which is now bounded from Puttukett river," k,c. The same 
thing is repeated in the quit-claim deed of William Bradford, 
son of Governour Bradford, to the town, in 1689. This deed, 
after speaking of grants of land having been made to different 
townships, says : " Among others, in the year of our Lord 
1641, [Gov. Bradford] granted to Joseph Peck, Stephen Paine, 
Henry Smith, Alexander Winchester, Thomas Cooper, gent, 
and others with them, and such others as they should associate 
to themselves, a tract of land for a plantation or township, for- 
merly called by the natives Secunke, upwards of forty-five 
years since settled and planted, now called and known by the 
name of Rehoboth." These deeds will be taken notice of, and 
extracts made from them, when we come to the years in which 
they were given. The people, whose names are mentioned in 
both the above extracts, as grantees, were of Hingham. — See 
Lincoln's Hist, of Hingham, pp. 42 — 8. 

Although the town had been purchased of the Indians, and 
granted to a number of individuals for the purpose of making a 
sett'ement, it does not appear that any general and permanent 
settlement was made here earlier than about the year 1643. 
We find, however, one individual residing at " Seacunck," as 
early as 1642. This was John Hazell, whose deposition, rel- 
ative to the sale of " Seacunk " by Ousamequin, has been al- 
ready given. He was then residing at " Seacunck," (Nov. 1, 
1642,) and we find farther mention made of him at the same 
Court in November: "John Hassell" (afterwards written Ha- 
zell, in the Town Records,) "doth acknowledge himself to 
owe the king, to be leveyed of his lands, goods and chattells, 
&;c. £XX. if he fayle in the condicon following : The condicon 
that the said John Hassell shall either take the oath of alle- 
giance to the King, and fideJitie to the Government, betwixt 
this and March Court next, or els remove his dwelling from 
Seacunck." [Plym. Col. Rec. vol. H. p. 67.] 

The £20 which he acknowledged himself to owe the king, 
was a fine for contempt of Court, as appears from the following : 

"August 2, 1642. It is ordered that a warrant be sent to 



24 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

fetch John Hassell, that lives at Sickuncke, to answer his con- 
tempts at the General Court: which was made and signed by 
all the assistants present." [Plym. Col. Rec. vol. II. p. 55.] 
John Hazell continued to reside at " Seacunck," where he had 
lands granted him in 1669. And he appears to have owned 
largely before, for, in describing the bounds of the grant, men- 
tion is made of " his other allotment, being six hundred acres, 
bounded on the east with his fresh meadow and a little run of 
water and a cedar swamp ; on the west side Patucet river; on 
the north side the woods; on the south side the towne land; 
only the Island and little upland above mentoned is part of the 
six hundred acres." [Plym. Col. Rec. vol. II. p. 193.] 

" Seacunck," we have seen, was first granted to people 
of Hingham ; but they were soon joined by Mr. Newman and 
the majority of his church at Weymouth, in their projected 
settlement; and it is even possible that some of the people of 
Weymouth were among the original grantees, of 1641, though 
none of them are among the names mentioned. It appears, 
however, that those whose names are given were a committee 
acting for "themselves and divers others." 

The first meeting of the original planters of Rehoboth, to be 
found on record, is dated at " Weimoth the 24th of the 8th 
month* [October,] 1643." The record is as follows: "At 
a general meeting of the plantores of Seacunk, it was ordered, 

" (1) That the [illegible] lottes shall not exceed the number of 
sixty and five, and in case anny of those that have these lottes 
granted already fale, that Goodman [illegible] of Cambridge to 
be admitted if he please; and in case so manny fale as may 
limit to sixty, then not to exceed sixty lottes." 

"(2) It is agreed that the ground that is most fit to be plant- 
ed and hopefuU for come for the present to be planted and fen- 
ced by such as possess it according to [illegible.] " 

" (3) It is ordered that those that have lottes granted and are 
[illegible] inhabitants shall fence the one end of their lottes and 
their part in the comon fence, in the same time, by the 20th 
day of April next, or else forfit their lottes to the disposal of the 
plantation ; and likewise to remove themselves and family to 

* This is Old Style. The year then commenced the 25th of March. The 
correction of the calender by Pope Gregory, in 1582, was not adopted by the 
British Parliament till 1751. I have inserted the names of the months, desig- 
nated by " 1st mo. " "2d mo." &c. but have not made the correction for the 
eleven days, ordered to be struck out of September, 1752. — See also year 1669. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



25 



inhabit [torn off] by this time twelvesmonth, or else forfite their 
lottes againe to the plantation, allowinge them their necessa- 
ry improvements, as they in their discretion shall think meet." 

" (4) That if anny damages shale fale out by anny man's 
particular fence, the owner of the fence shale pay the damage, 
and if [torn off] generall fence, then those persons that one the 
fence to pay [torn off.]" [Rehoboth Rec. vol. I. p. 1.] 

The next meeting of the proprietors was held at Weymouth, 
"the 10th day of the 10th month" [December,] when regula- 
tions were made as to the planting of corn. The teacher to have 
a certain portion from each settler. Servants, after four years, 
to be inhabitants, and entitled to their privileges. Richard 
Wright employed to build a corn-mill. 

During the year 1643, and probably before any other division 
of land had been made other than for house-lots, the proprietors 
were required individually to give in the value of their estates, 
in order that the allotments of land might be made accordingly, 
as appears from the Proprietors' Records : " About the year 
1643, a joynt agreement was made by the inhabitants of Sea-conk 
alias Rehoboth, fFor the bringhig in of their estates; that soe 
men's lotments might be taken up according to person and 
estate, as alsoe for the carrieing on of all publick chardges both 
for present and future ; furtheremore the means and interest of 
what is heare expressed is that by which lands, now granted by 
the Court of Plymouth to the towne, is to be divided according 
to person and estate, as is expressed in this following list.* 



1. Mrs. Bur 

Ruth Ingi-am accept- > 
ed in her place. ^ 

2. Widdow Walker 

3. John Read 

4. John Cooke 
which still is in the > 

town's hands. ^ 

5. The Schoolmaster 

6. Will Cheesbrook 

Mr. Winchester 

Richard Wright 

9. Mr. Newman 



£ s. d. 
100 00 00 



50 00 00 
300 00 00 
300 00 00 



50 00 00 
450 00 00 
195 00 00 
834 00 00 
330 00 00 



10. Will. Smith 

11. Walter Palmer 

12. James Clark, ? 
now John Perrum's. \ 

1.3. Ralph Shephard, ^ 

now > 

James Redewaye's. ) 

14. Zachariah Roads 

15. John Mathewes 

16. John Perrum 
a John Millar 

18. Samuel Butterworth 

19. George Kendrick 



£ s. d. 
196 10 00 
419 00 00 

71 00 00 



121 10 00 

50 00 00 
40 00 00 
67 00 00 
69 10 00 
50 00 00 
50 00 00 



* In transcribing the names in this list, as in most of the extracts from the 
ancient records, I have followed the orthography of the original. 



26 



HISTORY OF KKHOBOTH. 



20. Abram Martin 

21. The Teacher 

22. Edward Seale 

23. John Browne 

24. Mr. Howward 
^ 25. Mr. Peck 

26. Mr. Obediah Holmes, 

now 
Robert Wheaton's. 

27. Edward Smith 

28. Job Lane, now 
— Robert Abell's. 

29. Thomas Hitt 

30. James Walker, 
now John ffitche's.* 

31. Thomas Blyss 

32. The Governor's ^ 

lot, now > 

Richard Bullock's. ) 

33. Isaack Martin, ^ 

now > 

Thomas Wil mot's. ) 

34. Robert Morris 

35. Edward Bennet, ^ 

now > 

Rich. liowen's, Jr. S 

36. The Pastor 

37. Mr. Henry Smith 

38. Mathew Piatt 

39. John Megg's 



£ s. d. 
60 10 00 

100 00 00 
81 00 00 
50 00 00 

250 00 00 
535 00 00 

^ 100 00 00 

252 00 00 
50 00 00 

101 00 00 
> 50 00 00 
'l53 00 00 

200 00 00 

50 00 00 

94 10 00 

134 10 00 



100 00 00 


260 00 


00 


239 00 


00 


120 00 


00 1 



40. Thomas Clifton, ' 

now j 

Stephen Payne's Jr. ' 

41. Joseph Tony, > 
now John Peck's. \ 

42. Tho. Cooper 
43 Robert ffullor 

44. John Allen 

45. Ralph Allen 

46. Edward Gillman, ? 
now Joseph Peck's. ( 

47. Tho. Houlbrook 

48. Will. Carpenter 

49. John Houlbrook. 
now Nicholas Ide's, 

50. Robert Titus, 
now Robert Jones's 

51. Will. Sabin 

52. Stephen Payne 

53. Mr. Browne 
, Edward Patteson, ' 

now I 

John Woodcock's. ' 
, Peter Hunt 
Robert Martin 
Robert Sharp, ^ 
but now > 
Rice Leonard's. ) 
Richard Bowen 



£ s. d. 



54 



58 



160 


00 00 


134 


00 00 


367 00 00 
150 00 00 
156 00 00 
270 00 00 


306 00 00 


186 
254 


10 00 
10 00 


186 


10 00 


156 


10 00 


53 
535 

600 


00 00 
00 00 
00 00 


50 00 00 


327 

228 


00 00 
10 00 


106 00 00 


270 00 00 



[Proprietors' Records, vol. I. p. 1.] 

At a meeting of the proprietors of Seekonk, (the date of 
which is torn off, though it was probably among the first,) it was 
voted, that nine men should be chosen to order the prudential 
affairs of the plantation, who should have power to dispose of the 
lands " in lots of twelve, eight, or six acres, as in their discretion 
they think the quality of the estate of the person do require." 
This applied to house-lots. It was further ordered, "that all 
other lots to be divided according to person and estate. One 
person to be valued at £12 sterling in the division of lands, and 
that no person should sell his improvements but to such as the 
towne shall accept of;" also voted, "that the meeting-house 
shall stand in the midst of the town." 

On " the 21st of the 4th month" [June,] a town meeting was 
holden, but the records of it are so mutilated as to be mostly 



* Instead of a capital letter, the small letter is frequently doubled. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



27 



illegible. It appears, however, to relate to a new division of land. 
It was resolved, that on every fortieth day, a meeting should be 
holden by all the inhabitants " for the consideration and acting of 
such necessary affairs as concern the plantation." 

" At a town meeting, the 31st day of the 4th month [June], 
1 644, lots were drawn for a division of the woodland between the 
plain and the town. Shares were drawn to the number of 58, 
as follows : 



1. 


Mr. Winchester, 


30. 


The Pastor's, 


2. 


Mr. Leonard, 


31. 


Stephen Payne, 


3. 


Peter Hunt, 


32. 


Edward Smith, 


4. 


William Cheesborough, 


33. 


William Smith, 


5. 


Ralph Allin, 


34. 


James Clark, 


6. 


John Holbrook, 


35. 


The Governour, 


7. 


John Perram, 


36. 


Edward Bennett, ' 


8. 


The Schoolmaster, 


37. 


Obadiah Holmes, 


9. 


Matthew Pratt, 


38. 


Mr. Browne, 


10. 


William Carpenter,-- 


39. 


Thomas Cooper, 


11. 


Ephraim Hunt, 


40. 


Thomas Holbrooke, 


12. 


Samuel Butterworth, 


41. 


Thomas Hitt, 


13. 


Edward Patterson, 


42. 


John Allin, 


14. 


James Browne, 


43. 


John Meggs, 


15. 


Richard Bowin, 
Mr. Newman, 


44. 
45. 


William Sabin, 


16. 


Mr. Henry Smith, 


17. 


Mr. Peck, 


46. 


Zachery Roades, 


18. 


Walter Palmer, 


47. 


Edward Gilman, 


19. 


Abraham Martin, 


48. 


Thomas Chfton, 


20. 


John Sutton, 


49. 


Joseph Torrey, 


21. 


Robert Morris, 


50. 


Thomas Dunn, 


22. 


John Matthewes, 


51. 


Robert Martin, 


23. 


Isaac Martin, 


52. 


Widow Walker, 


24. 


James Walker, 


"m> 


John Miller, 


25. 


Robert Titus, 


54. 


Mr. B ,* 


26. 


Edward Seale, 


55. 


The Teacher, 


27. 


George Kendrick, 


56. 


John Cooke, 


28. 


* 

5 


\57. 


Ralph Shepherd, 


29. 


Thomas Bliss, 


58. 


John Reade. 



On " the 3d of the 5th month [July], 1644," the inhabitants 
signed a compact in the following words : 



* These names I was not able to decipher. 



1 



28 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



"This combination, entered into by the general consent of 
all the inhabitants, after general notice given the 23d of the 4th 
month." 

" We whose names are underwritten, being, by the providence 
of God, inhabitants of Seacunk, intending there to settle, do 
covenant and bind ourselves one to another to subject our per- 
sons [torn off,] (according to law and equity) to nine persons, 
any five of the nine which shall be chosen by the major part of 
the inhabitants of this plantation, and we [torn off] to be subject 
to all wholesome [torn offj by them, and to assist them, according to 
our ability and estate, and to give timely notice unto them of any 
such thing as in our conscience may prove dangerous unto the 
plantation, and this combination to continue untill we shall sub- 
ject ourselves jointly to some other government." 

Walter Palmer, 

Edward Smith, 

Edward Bennett, 

Robert Titus, 

Abraham Martin, 

John Matthewes, 

Edward Sale, 

Ralph Shepherd, 

Samuel Newman, 

William Cheesborough, 
ii Richard Wright, 

Robert Martin, 

Richard Bowen, 

Joseph Torrey, 

James Clark, 

Ephraim Hunt, 

Peter Hunt, 

William Smith, 

John Peren, 

Zachery Rhoades, 

Job Lane, 
"The 12th of the 5th mo. [^uly,] 1644. At ameetingupon 
public notice given, it is ordered that such as shall have allot- 
ments in the three divisions of lands presently to be laid out by 
Mr. Oliver and his partner, Joseph Fisher, and shall not pay the 
surveying of it, by the 28th of the 8th month [October,] next, at 
Boston or Dedham, according to the proposition of Mr. Oliver, 
shall forfeit all such lands laid out in the three aforesaid divis- 



Alex. Winchester, 
Henry Smith, 
Stephen Payne, 
Ralph Alin, 
Thomas Bliss, 
George Kendricke, 
John Allen, 
\ William Sabm, 
Thomas Cooper. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 29 

ions, into the hands of the nine men entrusted with the town 
affairs, who are desired to undertake with Mr. Ohver to satisfy 
him for the laying out of the aforesaid divisions." 

"It is further ordered, the day above written, that Will. 
Cheesborough is to have division in all lands of Seakunk for a 
hundred and fifty-three pounds besides what he is to have for 
his own proportion, and that in way of consideration for the 
pains and charges he hath been at for setting off this planta- 
tion." 

"At a general meeting of the town of Seacunk, being the 
9th of the 10th month [December], 1644, at lawful warning 
given, by reason of many meetings and other strong causes for 
the easing of the great trouble and for the [illegible] and the 
deciding of controversies between party and party, as well as 
the proposing of men's levies to be made and paid, and for the 
well ordering of the town affairs, as may stand with future 
equity, according to our former combination, the inhabitants of 
said place have choose these men here named : " 

Alexander Winchester, William Smith, 

Richard Wright, Stephen Payne, 

Henry Smith, Richard Bovven, 

Edward Smith, Robert Martin. 

Walter Palmer, 
The first meeting of these townsmen, as they were styled, was 
on "the 3d day of the 11th mo. [January] 1644," when they 
voted to give Robert Morris, " in consideration for the spare lot 
he hath taken," the first lot in the next division. 

"The 26th of the 10th mo. [December,] 1644, at a meeting 
of the town it was ordered, that, for time past, and for time to 
come, that all workmen that have or shall work in any common 
work, or shall work for any particular men, shall have for their 
wages for each day's work as followeth : for each laborer, from 
the first day of November until the first day of February, 18d. 
a day, and for the rest of the year 20(/. a day except the har- 
vest, that is to say while men are reaping harvests." 

"It is ordered that the work of 4 oxen and a man for a day 
[torn off,] shilling and sixpence ; and that for 6 oxen and a man 
seven shillings ; and for eight oxen and a man, eight shillings." 
" The 10th of the 11th mo. [January,] 1644, at a meeting of 
the townsmen it was agreed upon that all those that are under- 
written have forfeited their lots for not fencing, or not removing 



30 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

their families according to a former order, made the 24th of the 
8th month, 1643 ; therefore we do enter upon them for, and in 
the beiialf of the town, to be disposed of as the town shall think 
meet, only paying them for their necessary charges, according 
to a former order : " 

Ralph Shepherd, John Meggs, 

James Browne, Thomas Cooper, 

Mr. Leonard, John Sutton, 

Mr. Peck, Edward Gilman, 

Obadiah Holmes, Tho. Holbrooke, 

James Walker, John Holbrooke, 

The Governour's lot, Mr. Browne, 

Matthew Pratt, Edward Patteson, 

Thomas Dunn, Ephraim Hunt. 

"It is ordered, the day and year above written, at a town 
meeting, that all men that have lots granted upon the neck of 
land, shall fence so much fence as the number of his acres com- 
eth to, by the 15th day of the 2d month, or pay 2s. for every rod 
that shall not be fenced." 

" It is ordered that no man shall fall any tree or trees within the 
space of eight rods of the road and of house-lot, upon the for- 
feit of 6s. 8d. for every tree fallen without the consent of the 
owner of the lot." 

" It is agreed that Edward Bennett shall have the ground 
that his house standeth upon, and so much of the breadth of the 
ground as he hath railed in to the edge of the hill towards the 
brook." 

"The 17th day of the 12th mo. [February,] 1644, at a 
town meeting it was agreed upon, that whoever hath not con- 
venient land to plant, for present getting of corn, shall be al- 
lowed to plant so much as they can break up this year, and 
shall have it six years, and then to fall to the town again, either 
upon Manton's neck or else upon the back side of the lots on 
the south-east side of the town." 

"The 26th of the 12th mo. [February,] 1644, at a meeting 
of the townsmen, Richard Wright, Richard Bowen, Alexander 
Winchester, Walter Palmer, William Smith, Edward Smith, 
being present, it is ordered that the recording of any man's land 
in the town book shall be to him and his heirs a sufficient assu- 
rance forever." 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 31 

"The same day it is ordered that no man's lands shall be re- 
corded until he shall bring to the Town ('lerk a note for his 
lands, butted and bounded." 



It will be observed that the records thus far bear the date of 
" Seacunk " or " Seakunk." Though the proprietors purcha- 
sed their land of the Plymouth Colony, yet it appears from the 
compact signed by them on becoming " inhabitants of Seacunk," 
that they considered themselves independent of any jurisdiction 
but their own, though they were afterwards claimed by both 
Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. In 1645, they submitted 
themselves to the jurisdiction of the Plymouth Court, or, rather 
were assigned to that by the Commissioners of the United Colo- 
nies, and were incorporated by the scripture name of Reho- 
both, — a name selected by Mr. Newman ; for, said he, " the 
Lord hath made room for us.^' * 

Next on the town records follow the registers of the lands of 
the proprietors. Here we find the following names : Mr. Alex- 
ander Winchester, Mr. Howard, Peter Hunt, Wilham Chees- 
borough, Ralph Allin, John Holbrooke, John Peram, the 
Schoolmaster, Matthew Pratt, William Carpenter, Samuel But- 
terworth, Edward Patteson, James Browne, Richard Bowen, 
Mr. Samuel Newman, Mr. Peck, Abraham Martin, John Sut- 
ton, Robert Morris, John Matthewes, John Fitch, Robert Titus, 
George Kendricke, Robert Sharp, Thomas Bliss, The Pastor, 
Stephen P aine, Edward Smith, James Clarke, William Smithy 
The Governour, Edward Bennett, Obadiah Holmes, Mr. John 
Browne, Thomas Cooper, Thomas Holbrooke, Thomas Hett, 
John Allin, John Meggs, Wi lliam SabinT Henry Smith, Zach- 
ary Roades, Edward Gilman, senior, Thomas Clifton, Joseph 
Torrey, Widow Walker, Richard Ingram, (now Ingraham,) The 
Teacher, Thomas Loring,^Ralph Shepherd, John Reade, John a 
Miliea-, Richard Wright. \ ^ - 

Baylies, in his Memoir of Plymouth Colony, has inserted 
Robert Fuller in the above list, but the date of the registry of 

* The Hebrew word aini [rehob] noun, signifies a broad way or street, 
platea or forum. The same word and also the form niani [rehoboih] is applied 

as a proper name to several cities, places or districts ; probably as a mere ex- 
tension of the more appropriate meaning of the common noun. 



32 HISTORY OF BEHOBOTH. 

his land is not till 1652, though it stands on the record in the 
place he has assigned to it. The name of Thomas Wilmot, 
(now written Willmarth,) is also found in the same list, though 
I am confident that there were none of that name in town at so 
early a period as 1645 ; and another name appears to have been 
erased, and this written over it in a handwriting of more modern 
date. 

"The l6th of the 1st mo. [March,] 1645, at a general meet- 
ing of the towne upon public notice given, it was agreed that 
all the fence in the general field shall be fenced by the 23d of 
this present month ; and whosoever shall be negligent, and not 
repair or set up his fence by the day above written, shall pay 
sixpence for every rod deficient, and the damage that shall come 
to any man by the same." 

"The same day, the men after mentioned were made choice 
of to view the fences and to judge of the sufficiency of them, 
viz : Richard Bovven, Robert Titus, William Smith, Captain 
Wright, Alexander Winchester, Thomas Bliss, Stephen Payne 
and Thomas Cooper." 

" The same day were made choice of for townsmen those 
men whose names are underwritten, for one whole year, viz : 
Mr. Browne, Thomas Cooper, 

Stephen Payne, William Carpenter, 

Mr. Henry Smith, Edward Smith." 

Robert Martin, 

"The 16th of the 1st mo. [March,] 1645, it was agreed 
upon by the towne that the towne shall be divided into two 
parts for the making of the foot bridges and the keeping of them, 
and the highways leading to them to be done by the whole 
town ; the division to begin at the Widow Walker's and so on 
to Will. Carpenter's and so on to half; and Robert Martin and 
Thomas Cooper were made choice of to be surveyors to oversee 
the work." 

" 29th of the 2d mo. [April,] 1645, at a town meeting it 
was agreed upon that if any person or persons shall be lacking 
in [illegible] to the number of six months shall pay I2d. for 
every default, to be laid upon their goods and chattells." 

" The same day, Richard Bowen, Walter Palmer, Stephen 
Payne, Robert Martin, William Carpenter, and Peter Hunt 
were made choice of to hear the grievances of all those that 
their meadow is defective, and give allowance to every man ac- 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 33 

cording as they in their discretion shall think meet, both in fresh 
meadow and salt, when they have viewed the meadows that are 
yet unlotted, and shall give to every man as they shall fall by lot." 

" It is agreed that they shall lay out lots to those that have 
not according to their estate. That they shall begin at the 
upper end of the meadow next to the fresh water. That if 
there shall not prove fresh meadow enough to satisfy all that 
want fresh meadow, that then for them to give salt for fresh. 
It is agreed that these six, or any four of them, shall determine 
of any of those particulars above mentioned." 

"The 28th of the 3d mo. [May] 1645, at a meeting of the 
townsmen, Richard Wright, Richard Bowen, Walter Palmer, 
Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. Winchester, William Smith, and Ed- 
ward Smith being present, it is ordered that a levy shall be made 
and forthwith gathered, of I2d. on each £100 estate, to be 
paid either in butter at 6d. a lb. or in wampum : and it is also 
concluded that Robert Titus and William Sabin shall be collect- 
ors of said revenue." 

"The 31st of Male,* 1645, at a meeting of the town upon 
public notice given, Stephen Payne and William Carpenter were 
chosen to go to Plymouth, to the Court, to certify the town's 
minds." 

"The 2d of the 4th mo. [June] 1645, at a general meeting 
of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that 
Walter Palmer, William Smith, Mr. Newman, Alexander Win- 
chester, William Cheesborough, and Richard Wright, if they 
will, shall lay down their lots of salt marsh, where it was cast 
by lot, and shall have their lots in the new meadow." 

" Those whose names are above written have layed down 
their lots, and are appointed to have their lots in the new mead- 
ow ; and whensoever the town shall dispose of those lots that 
they leave, whoever shall purchase them shall pay unto them 6d. 
an acre." 

" It is agreed that those men that were chosen the 29th of 
the 2d mo. [April] 1645, to recompense those that have not 
sufficient salt marsh and fresh, shall view the new meadow by 
John [illegible] house, and if they see it meet, shall allow it to 
Richard Wright in lieu of so much salt marsh." 

" It is agreed that Robert Martin shall have the lot in the wood- 
land plain that was laid out to Mr. Leonard, being the second lot." 

* This is the first place the name of the month is written in the original 
records. I have preserved the orthographv of the original. 

5 



34 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



"The 9th of the 4th mo. [June] 1645, at a meeting of the 
town upon pubhc notice given, those seven men underwritten 
were chosen to order the prudential affairs of the town for half a 
year, viz : 

Mr. John Browne, sen. William Cheesborough, 

Stephen Payne, Mr. Alexander Winchester, 



Richard Wright, 



Edward Smith. 



Walter Palmer, 

"The same day lots were drawn for the great plain, begin- 
ning upon the west side ; and he that is first upon the west side 
shall be last upon the east." 

The lots were drawn by the following persons, in the follow- 
ing order, viz : 

Thomas Bliss, 
John Peram, 
Joseph Torrey, 
John Holbrooke, 
James Clarke, 
Edward Sale, 

36. George Kendricke, 
Mr. Leonard, 
Richard Bowen, 

39. Edw^ard Patteson, 
John Reade, 
John Matthews, 
Matthew Pratt, 
Robert Sharpe, 
Ephraim St Peter Hunt, 
Zachary Roades, 
John Meggs, 
John Miller, 
Thomas Holbrooke, 
The Schoolmaster, 
Mr. Peck, 
Richard Ingram, 
Isaac Martin, 
John Allin, 
Mr. Henry Smith, 
Mr. Newman, 
The Pastor, 
Obadiah Holmes, 
Robert Morris. 



1. 


Stephen Payne, 


30. 


2. 


Widow Walker, 


31. 


3. 


Robert Martin, 


32. 


4. 


Edward Oilman, 


33. 


N5. 


Ralph Shepherd, 


34. 


^. 


Richfu-d Wright, 


35. 


7. 


Abraham Martin, 


36. 


8. 


The Teacher, 


37. 


9. 


Will. Carpenter, 


38. 


10. 


Robert Titus, 


39. 


11. 


Walter Palmer, 


40. 


12. 


James Walker, 


41. 


13. 


Alexander Winchester, 


42. 


14. 


Samuel Bulterworth, 


43. 


15. 


William Sabin, 


44. 


16. 


Thomas Hitt, 


45. 


17. 


Edward Smith, / 
Edward Bennett,- 


46. 


18. 


47. 


19. 


Thomas Clifton, 


48. 


20. 


John Cooke, 


49. 


21. 


Mr. Browne, 


••50. 


22. 


William Cheesborough, 


51. 


23. 


Ralph Allin, 


52. 


24. 


James Browne, 


53. 


25. 


The Governour, 


54. 


26. 


William Smith, 


55. 


27. 


John Sutton, 


56. 


28. 


Job Laine, 


57. 


29. 


Thom. Cooper, 


58. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 35 

"The 28th of the 5th mo. [July] 1645, at a town meeting, 
it was agreed upon, that a rate of 10s. in every £100 estate 
should be levied upon every man, upon his land and goods." 

" The 29th * of the 10th month, [December,] 1645. 
" Whereas there was a second agreement made wit i the In- 
dians for their full consent in their removing from Wannamoiset, 
and the value of fifteen pounds sterling to be paid them, or 
thereabouts in several commodities : it was in several town 
meetings expounded that if any one man would pay that par- 
ticular purchase, they should have that land, with twelve acres 
lying at Wachemoquit cove, and so much more land at Wana- 
moyset as should be thought worth the payment of the same. 
Afterward Richard Bowen, Robert Martin, Stephen Payne, by 
the appointment of the rest of the townsmen, viewed and laid 
out that neck of land called and known by the name of Wan- 
namoyset neck, from the salt water where the Indians had 
formerly made a hedge, ranging unto the north end of the Indian 
field and so round about the said Indian field unto the salt water. 
Whereupon, the 29th of the 10th month, 1645, Mr. John Brown, 
in a town meeting, did promise and undertake to pay the said pur- 
chase in consideration that the said lands to belong to him and his 
heirs and assigns forever. And it was further agreed upon in the 
said town meeting that in all divisions of lands that was, or here- 
after should be made, that what proportion should fall to his share 
after the rate of £300 estate should be laid forth to him, ad- 
joining to the aforesaid lands on the farther side of the town, or 
towards the salt marsh, or so as may be both least prejudicial to 
the town or to himself, saving that 44 acres upon the Wache- 
moquit neck already allotted him to be part of the same ; and 
he doth farther agree to accept of ten acres of salt marsh where 
he mowed this year, formerly allotted to him in full of all meadow 
land belonging to the town ; and doth further promise, that 
when the rest of the townsmen shall fence the rest of their lands 
already allotted on Wachemoquit neck, he to fence his part with 
them, and to bear his part in town charges after the aforesaid 
sum of £300 estate ; and he doth further promise not to make 
any such fence so far into the salt water upon the westerly side 
of Wanamoyset neck as shall bar out hogs from coming, nor 
fence the south point of the said neck a quarter of a mile on the 
west side of the said neck." 

* Baylies says " 20th," but incorrectly : the manuscript is plain and cannot 
be mistaken. 



36 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

"26th of the 10th month [December] 1645, at a meetmg of 
the townsmen, it was voted that the house-lot and the re-t of 
the accommodations that was laid out for John Sutton, forasmuch 
as he hath not come to live amongst us, nor fulfilled the order 
agreed upon, and bearing date the 24th of the 8th month 1643, 
be granted to William Devell." 

It was also voted the same day, " that a fence shall be made 
between the Indian lands, at the marked tree, from sea to sea, 
by the last day of the 2d month next, and the fence of five rails 
to be laid out by Robert Martin and Edward Smith and 2 more, 
and they shall begin at the east side of the neck, and so to the 
west. Walter Palmer shall do the first fence, Abraham Martin 
the second, and so accordingly as the house-lots fall in order 
round the town;* and if any man shall fail, or be negligent to 
set up his fence by the day fixed, he shall forfeit for every rod 
not set up, two shillings, to be employed for the use of the 
town by the townsmen, [one line here illegible] and those that 
are employed for the setting up the fence shall have an abate- 
ment in their fence so much as comes to their labor," 

"The 15th of the 11th month [January] 1645, at a general 
meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed 
upon that a fence shall be made, to fence in the land upon the 
neck, that is laid out to be planted, by the 15th day of the 2d 
month next ; and whosoever shall be negligent, and not set up 
so much as cometh to their part of good sufficient fence, shall 
forfeit for every rod not set up by the day mentioned, 1 shilling 
'2,d. a rod, and the damage that shall come thereby." 

"The 23d of the 4th mo. [June] 1646, at a general meet- 
ing of the town, Stephen Payne, William Carpenter and Wal- 
ter Palmer, were made choice of to view the fence upon the 
neck ; and in case they find any not to be sufficient, that they 
shall give presently notice to those that own the fence, and give 
them a sufficient time for mending it, as they in their discretion 
shall think meet; and, if that it be not sufficiently mended by 
the time set, then they shall pay 2s. 6d. for every rod de- 
ficient, to be employed for the setting up of said fence, and they 
shall pay all damages that shall come by the defects during the 
neglect." 

* The town was built in a semi-circular form, around what is now Seekonk 
Common (the south extremity of the plain,) with the meeting-house and par- 
sonage in the centre ; the semi-circle opening towards Seekonk, or Pawtucket 
river. This circle was afterwards called " The Ring of the town." 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 37 

"The 8th of the 8th mo. [October] 1646, at a general meet- 
ing of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed that 
John Doget shall have all the lands that were laid out for John 
Megges; and, because there was no lot laid out for him upon 
the great plain, it was agreed upon, that he shall have both his 
allotments, according to the estate, upon the great plain, and to 
begin upon the south side." 

"At the same time it was agreed that the townsmen shall 
make a rate to get the town out of debt, and also a rate so 
much as shall build a meeting-house." 

" At the same time it was agreed that whosoever shall kill a 
wolf or wolves, he shall have 205. for every wolf, and to be 
levied upon the heads of beasts, geese and hogs. " 

"The 13th of the 10th mo. [December] 1646, at a meeting 
of the townsmen, it was agreed upon, that if any cattle shall be 
found either in the planting fields of Wachemoquit, or in the 
woodland plain, so long as any corn is growing upon it, without 
a sufficient keeper, he [the owner] shall pay I2d. for every 
beast so found ; and it shall be lawful for any person or persons, 
that shall find any cattle in said fields to bring them to the 
pound, and take the forfeiture : and if the owner of the cattle 
shall find any man's fence not sufficient, it shall be lawful for 
him to recover the damage of him that owns the fence, provi- 
ded that there be 8 or 10 acres in the field." 

" It was agreed that if any man shall take down any general 
fence, or any man's particular fence, upon any occasion, and 
shall not set it up again as sufficiently as he found it, he shall 
pay for every time so left I2d. besides the damage that shall 
come thereby." 

"It w^as agreed upon that all general fence in the town shall 
be kept up sufficiently, and whosoever shall be found deficient 
shall forfeit 12d. for every rod, besides the damages : this order 
to take place by the first day of the first month next." 

"The 7th of January, 1646, John Hazell sold unto William 
Devill the house which he, the said William Devill, now dwel- 
leth in," and the house-lot, he. 

"The 20th of the 11th mo. [January] 1646, at a general 
meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed 
upon that no man shall mow any part of the salt marsh that is 
upon the Wachemoquit neck; and, if he shall hire, shall forfeit 
ten shillings for every acre so mowne." 



38 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

" It was agreed upon that John Peram shall have a platt ol 
meadow that lyeth near Manton's neck, in satisfaction of his 
meadow, so far as it shall be thought fit by those that are to 
view the defect of the meadow." 

"The 9th of the 12th mo. [February] 1646, at a meeting ot 
the townsmen, were made choice of, to view the fence of the 
town lots, those persons following, viz : William Carpenter and 
Robert Titus, William Smith and John Dogget, Stephen Paine 
and Thomas Cooper, Thomas Bliss and Alexander Winches- 
ter." 

" The same day it was agreed that Edw^ard Sale, John Dogget, 
William Sabin, John Peram, andWilliam Thayer, shall have leave 
to set up a weier* upon the cove, before William Devill's 
house, and one upon Pawtucket river ; and they shall [illegible] 
the [illegible] of them during the [illegible] of [illegible] pro- 
vided that they hinder not either English nor Indians from fish- 
ing at the falls in either place ; and they shall sell their alwives 
at 2s. a thousand, and their other fish at reasonable rates ; and 
they shall make their weieres so as shall not hinder the passage 
of boats, and that no man shall fish above their weier with any 
draft net : provided if they set not up their weier in a twelve- 
month, that it shall be lawful for any man else to set up a weiei 
upon the same terms." 

"The 18th of the 12th mo. [February] 1646, at a meeting 
of the towne it was agreed to draw lots for the new meadow, 
and to be divided according to person and estate, only those that 
were under £150 estate to be made up 150. They were 
drawn as followeth : 



1. 


Robert Sharp, 


11. 


Abraham Martin, 


2. 


Nicholas Ide, 


12. 


Walter Palmer, 


3. 


Isaac Martin, 


13. 


William Devill, 


4. 


Mr. Newman, 


14. 


Edward Gilman, 


5. 


Thomas Clifton. 


15. 


Richard Bowin, 


6. 


Ralph Alhn, 


16. 


Robert Titus, 


7. 


Robert Fuller, 


17. 


Robert Martin, 


8. 


Edward Sale, 


18. 


Widow Walker, 


9. 


Joseph Torrey, 


19. 


George Robinson, 


10. 


John Fitch, 


20. 


Thomas Cooper, 



* These were for catching fish. I have followed the orthography of the 
original, as in most of the quotations where there is any thing singular. I 
have written proper names as I found them in the original, in all cases. 



21. 


Obadiah Holmes, 


34. 


■2->. 


Stephen Paine, 


35. 


•23. 


James Redwaie, 


36. 


24. 


-WJUiaaLSabinj; 


37. 


25. 


Robert Wheaton, 


38. 


26. 


Thomas Bhss, 


39. 


27. 


Widow Bennet, 


40. 


28. 


Mr. Henry Smith, 


41. 


29. 


Edward Smith, 


42. 


30. 


Ademia Morris, 


43. 


31. 


John Peram, 


44. 


32. 


Peter Hunt, 


45. 


33. 


John Miller, 


46. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 39 

Richard Ingram, 

Mr. Alexander Winchester, 

George Wright, 

Zachary Roades, 

George Kendricke, 

John Matthewse, 

John Dogget, 

Robert Abell, 

William Carpenter, 

Mr. Peck, 

John Allin, 

Will. Chee borough, 

William Smith." 

"The 28th of the 2d mo. [April] 1647, George Wright sold 
unto William Dogget, all his rights, privileges and immunities, 
consisting of his house and house-lot of seven acres, seventeen 
acres in the woodland plain, a lot upon the great plain, and 15 
rods of fresh meadow lying in the forty-acre meadow." 

"The 26th of the 3d mo. [May] 1647, at a general meeting 
of the town upon public notice given, Stephen Paine and Wal- 
ter Palmer were chosen to be committees for the Court. At 
the same time Thomas Cooper and Thomas Clifton were chosen 
to be grand-jury-men for this year. And at the same time Wil- 
liam Smith was chosen constable for this year; and Thomas 
Bliss and Robert Titus were chosen supervisors of the highways 
for this year ; and Mr. Browne, Mr. Peck'^ Stephen Paine, 
Mr. Winchester, Richard Bowen, William Carpenter, and Ed- 
ward Smith, were chosen townsmen for the present year." 

At the same meeting, cattle were prohibited from the plant- 
ing grounds of Wachemoquit, on a fine of 12f/. per head. 

"The 28th of the 4th mo. [June] 1647, the towne gave to 
John Titus the lot before granted to Matthew Pratt ; and also 
gave to John Woodcocke the lot before granted to Edward 
Pateson." 

"The 29th of the 7th mo. [September] 1647, at a general 
meeting of the towne upon public notice given, the island of 
salt marsh, that lyeth in the river between the neck of land 
belonging to the towai and Mr. Henry Smith's salt marsh, was 
given to Richard Ingram, in lieu of an allotment of salt marsh." 

" At the same time a parcel of salt marsh that lyeth in Ed- 
ward Smith's land in the woodland plaine was given to Edward 
Sale." "The same day it was ordered that no man shall keep 



40 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

any gotes upon any common, or any man's property but his 
own, within three miles of the town, after the first day of the 
6th month next, upon penalty of five shillings for every gote so 
kept." 

"The 24th of November, 1647, at a meeting of the towns- 
men it was agreed that every inhabitant that hath a team shall 
work with his team and one man four days in a year at the 
highway, and every inhabitant that hath no team shall find a 
sufficient labourer four days in a year, being lawfully warned by 
the supervisor of the highway ; but if the supervisors in their 
discretion shall see more need of labourers than of teams, that 
those that have a team shall send two labourers instead of their 
teams, being so warned of the supervisor." 

"The 4th of the 11th mo. [January] 1647, at a meeting of 
the town upon public notice given, the residue of the allotment 
that was given unto Matthew Pratt, he not having remained in 
town, was given unto Richard Bulok," (now written Bullock.) 

"The 13th of the 11th mo. [January] 1647, Ademia Mor- 
ris, executor to Robert Morris, sold to Nicholas Ide his home lot." 

"The 3d of the 12th month, [February] 1647, at a gen- 
eral meeting of the town upon public notice given, it was 
agreed upon that every inhabitant in the town, that hath land 
upon the woodland plain, shall meet together at his alotment, 
and set up sufficient stakes for bound marks to his land, upon 
the second day in the second month next : and it was ordered 
that the drum shall be beat up near the meeting-house as a 
signal for each man to repair to his lot." 

At the same meeting it was also " agreed upon, Whereas it 
hath pleased the Court of Plymouth to give us power to try 
all manner of differences by way of action between party and 
party, that is under the value of ten pounds, that there shall 
be four Courts kept every year, upon the several days following, 
viz: upon the last Thursday of the third month, upon the last 
Thursday of the sixth month, upon the last Thursday of the 
ninth month, and upon the last Thursday of the twelfth month. 
And it is agreed that the jurors shall have sixpence apiece for 
every case tried by them." 

" It is ordered that the constable shall have Qd. for every jury 
warned by him, and Qd. for attending upon the jury for every 
action." 

"The 12th of the 2d mo. [April] 1648, at a general meet- 
ing of the town upon public notice given, John Allin was chosen 
constable for the year following, and John Dogget and Robert 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 4l 

Titus were chosen deputies for the towne, and Joseph Torrey 
and Robert Sharpe were chosen grand-jurymen, and John Mil- 
ler and John Peram were chosen supervisors of the highways, 
and Mr. Browne, ^MjU-Peck, Richard Bowin, Stephen Paine, 
William Carpenter, William Smith were chosen townsmen." 

"At the same meeting it was agreed upon that there shall be 
added to the row of lots from Thomas Clifton's to Robert 
Titus's lot 2 rods out of the common ; and it shall begin at a 
notching at the outside of Thomas Clifton's lot, and so go on to 
2 rods ; but, if it be not prejudicial to the higlnvay, it shall 
begin at 2 rods wide throughout." 

"The iSthof July, 1648, tiie towne gave to Roger Ammi- 
downe a house-lot between Walter Palmer's house-lot and the 
mill," besides a piece of salt marsh and other lands. 

"The Uth of the 11th* mo. [January] 1648, at a general 
meeting of the town upon public notice given, Mr. Peck and 
Stephen Paine were chosen assistants to assist Mr. Browne in 
matters of controversy at Court." 

" It was agreed that the townsmen shall make a levy for the 
finishing of the meeting-house, and for the county tax and to 
set the town out of debt." 

"The lot that was given unto George Robinson, being for- 
feited into the town's hands, was given unto John Sutton, he 
paying unto George Robinson his necessary charges laid out upon 
it." 

"The 11th of the 3d mo. [May] 1649, at a general meeting 
of the town upon public notice given, it was agreed upon that 
William Devill shall be constable for the next year ; Stephen 
Paine and Robert Titus were chosen deputies for the Court ; 
Thomas Cooper and Obadiah Holmes were chosen grand jury- 
men ; and Richard Bowen and Robert Sharpe were chosen 
surveyors of the highways." 

"July ]2th, 1649, at a general town meeting upon public 
notice given, it was agreed upon that there should be a dilligent 
search made to find out the nearest and most convenient way 
between Rehoboth and Dedham ; and Mr. Browne and Stephen 
Paine were chosen to compound with the surveyors, and to 
agree for such help as should be requisite for him or them to 
have." 



Baylies says "11th of the 1st," which is a mistake. 

6 



42 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

"The 24th of the 4th mo. [June] 1650,* at a town meet- 
ing, those men underwritten were chosen townsmen for this 
year : 

Mr. Browne, Richard Bowen, 

Mr. Peck, WilHam Smith, 

Steph. Payne, Robert Martin." 
Tho. Cooper, 

"At the same meeting the town gave permission to these 
men chosen to call a town meeting so often as need shall re- 
quire." 

"The 10th mo. [December] 1650, the county rate was 
agreed on." 

At the same meeting it was voted " to have a convenient 
way, four rods wide, (to be made by Edward Smith,) to be for 
the town's use, or any that shall have occasion to pass from 
town to Providence, or to Mr. Blackstone's." 

"The 15th day of the 1st mo. [March] 1651, at a towne 
meeting, it was agreed on that Peter Hunt should accompany 
Mr. Browne to Plymouth to make agreement about the Indian 
complaints." 

"The 19th day of the 3d mo. [May] 1651, chosen deputies 
Stephen Payne and Richard Bowen, for the Court at Plym- 
outh ; Walter Palmer and Peter Hunt to be grand jurymen. 
Surveyors for the highways, William Smith and John Read." 

"The 18th of October, 1651, these were chosen townsmen. 
viz : ^ 

Mr. Browne, Thomas Cooper, 

Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen, 

Stephen Payne, Robert Martin." 

Peter Hunt, 

" At the same time Peter Hunt was chosen Town Clerk.f 

"26th of the 12th mo. 1651. It was agreed on that Robert 
Abell and Richard Bullock should burn the commons round 
about, from the Indian fence, all on the neck, to the new mead- 
ow near, and so far about the fresh meadows as may be conve- 

* Here a new handwriting appears on the records, and the characters used 
become much modernized. 

1 This is the first mention made in the records of any one being chosen for 
this office. The records back to July 12, 3 649, and those that follow the date 
of Mr. Hunt's election appear to be in the same hand writing. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 43 

nient ; and they are to have 20s. for their pams, and to begin 
the 15th of March next, and to be paid out of the first rate." 

" The 3d mo. [May] 1 652, The townsmen counted with 
John Reed for two rates, one for the Indians pay, being £7 10s. ; 
and the other a county rate, being £5 Is. 8c?. The Indian rate 
due in his hand of wampum, at 8 a penny, 18s. 2d. Of the 
county rate remains due from the town from him 14s. 2d. Then 
bought of John Reed two muskets for the town's use, cost £2 
8s., and to be set off in the rates that he did owe to the town." 

"The 24th of the 3d mo. [May] 1G52, at a town meeting 
being law^fully warned, Stephen Payne and Thomas Cooper 
were chosen deputies ; Waker Pahiier was chosen constable ; 
Henry Smith and Robert Fuller grand jurymen ; and Joseph 
Pecke and Jonathan Bliss way-wardens." 

" June the Uth, 4lh mo. 1652. It was voted, that by the assent 
of the town then present, and being lawfully warned, that those 
lots which lie beyond the lot of Goodman Mathew should re- 
main to the ox-pastor,* and henceforth not be lotted " 

" The 9th of the 7th mo. [September] 1652. At a town 
meeting being lawfully warned, those men whose names are 
underwritten were chosen raters, to make a rate of 20 pounds 
for to buy a barrel of powder and two muskets, 4 swords, match 
and lead, bandoleers or porchers : 

Mr. Peck, Thomas Cooper, 

Peter Hunt, John Reed, 

John Peram, John Allin." 

It was also agreed on at the same time, that wheat should be 
paid at 4s. 6d. the bushel, or good wampum at eight the penny, 
for buying of those things above expressed." 

"The 28th of March, 1653, it was concluded and agreed 
upon, that Robert Abell should have three acres of meadow on 
the north side of the line, next the town, next the line that part- 
eth the land of the purchasers and the town of Rehoboth. 
This meadow was given them by Mr. Prince, Captain Standish 
and Mr. Winslow." 

"The 13th of the 3d mo. [May] 1653, at a town meeting 
lawfully warned, those were chosen, viz : Stephen Payne and 

* This lay north-east of Seekonk Common, between the new road from 
Seekonk to Pawtucket and the Pawtucket or Seekonk river, and extended as 
far down on the river as Manton's neck. It is still known by the name of 
" the Ox Pastor." 



44 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

Thomas Cooper, deputies ; William Sabin and Joseph Pecke^ 
grand jurymen ; Robert Martin, constable; Richard Bowen and 
Thomas Redvvay, overseers of the ways." 

"There were chosen at time of training, Peter Hunt for 
Lieutenant, and John Browne for Ensign." 

This is the first notice found in the records of the appoint- 
ment of military officers. This company is said to have been 
commanded for some years by a Lieutenant, and to have been 
styled "a Lieutenant's company," the number of members not 
being large enough to entitle it to a higher officer. 

"The 25th of October, 1653, at a town meeting lawfully 
warned, the following men were chosen raters for the sums of 
the county pay, viz : Stephen Payne, Richard Bowen, William 
Smith, William Carpenter, senior, and Peter Hunt." 

" At the same meeting it was agreed on by the town, that 
the Indians should have 4 pounds in wampum, in recompence of 
the damage they have suffered in their corn by hogs and horses, 
this two years ; and the wampum to be paid out of the wampum 
which remains in Walter Pahiier's hands." 

"At a town meeting lawfully warned, the 12th of December, 
in the year 1653, voted that the price of corn should be 5s., 
wheat 5s., rye 4s., and Indian corn 3s. (provided that the corn 
be current and merchantable corn.) " 

"At the same time those men were chosen to be townsmen, 
viz : 

Mr. Brown, Thomas Cooper, William Smith, 

Stephen Payne, William Carpenter, Robert Martin.'* 

Richard Bowen. 

"The 10th of the 11th mo. [January] 1653. Voted that 
the Indians that kill any wolves are to be paid out of the rate 
by the constable." 

"The 22d of the 12th mo. [February] 1653. At a town 
meeting lawfully warned, Stephen Payne, senior, and Thomas 
Cooper, senior, were chosen deputies, to be present at Plym- 
outh, at the next Court in March, to performe the business there 
that the warrand doth require, in behalf of the town, with full 
power in that behalf." 

'I The 10th of the 3d mo. [May] 1654, Stephen Payne, 
senior, and Peter Hunt were chosen deputies for the Court ; 
Anthony Perry and John AUin were chosen grand-jurymen ; for 
constable, Stephen Payne, jr. or Mr. Peck; for surveyors of the 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 45 

highways, WilUam Carpenter, senior, George Kendricke and 
Stephen Payne, jr." 

"The 22d of the 3d mo. [May] 1654, were chosen for mil- 
itary officers, Peter Hunt, for Lieutenant ; John Brown, jr. for 
Ensign, and allowed to stand by the Honourable Bench at Plym- 
outh Court." 

"The 15th of the 7th mo. [September] 1654, at a town 
meetinglawfully warned, there were chosen raters for the making 
of the county rate, and for a town rate for the present debts, 
viz : Stephen Payne, Richard Bowen, Peter Hunt, John Reed 
and Robert Martin." 

" At the same time Richard Bowen was chosen Town Clerk." 

"The 28th of June, 1654. Were chosen for the consider- 
ing of such lands as shall be recorded in the town books, for the 
clearing the rights of any person, Mi"- Pecke, Thomas Cooper, 
John Allin, Stephen Payne and Richard Bowen." 

"The 21st of July, 1654. At a town meeting lawfully 
warned, Stephen Payne, sen., and Peter Hunt were chosen 
deputies for the attendance of the Court in August next." 

"The 13th of the 10th [December] 1654. At a meeting 
of the townsmen it was agreed on that the price of corn for to 
pay the town debts [something here appears to have been omit- 
ted] "that wheat should pass at 5s., rye at 7s. and Indian to 
pass at 3s." 

"The 1st of the 12th mo. [February], 1654, at a town meet- 
ing lawfully warned, it was agreed and voted, that Mr. Browne 
should have for his use four square rods of ground to build a 
house on, something near the meeting-house." 

" At the same time Robert Abell was ordered to keep the 
Ordinary," 

"In the year 1655,* the 22d of the 1st mo. [March] at a 
town meeting lawfully warned, it was agreed upon by vote that 
the new highway towards the bay shall be perfected, and that 
it should be done under the inspection of Goodman Payne and 
Goodman Carpenter." 

"In the year 1655, the 17th of the 3d mo. [May], at a town 
meeting lawfully warned, Stephen Payne, sen., and Peter 
Hunt were chosen deputies; for constable, Stephen Payne, jr.; 
for grand-jury-men, Philip Walker and Jonathan Bliss; Richard 
Ingraham and John Fitch were chosen way-wardens." 

At the same time it was voted, " that there shall be no com- 
mon grass mown before the last of June ; and, in case any do 

* Baylies has 1654 ; this in old style is correct. 



46 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

transgress this order, it shall be lawful for any that know it to 

fetch away the hay or grass so cut, without any damage to 

them." 

"June the 26th, 1655. At a town meeting it was agreed upon 

that Mr. Newman, our teacher, should have fifty pounds a year; 

and those seven men whose names are hereto appended were 

chosen committees for the levying of a rate according to person 

and estate for the raising of said maintenance : 
^Joseph Peck, Robert Martin, 

Thomas Cooper, Peter Hunt, 

Richard Bowen, WilL Sabia." 

Stephen Payne, 

"At this period," says Baylies, "so much indifference as to 
the support of the clergy was manifested in Plymouth Colony 
as to excite the alarm of the other confederated Colonies. The 
complaint of Massachusetts against Plymouth, on this subject, 
was laid before the Commissioners, and drew from them a 
severe reprehension. Rehoboth had been afflicted already with 
a serious schism, and by its proximity to Providence and its 
plantations, where there was a universal toleration, the practice 
of free inquiry was encouraged, and principle, fancy, whim 
and conscience, all conspired to lessen the veneration for ec- 
clesiastical authority." 

[Hist. Memoir of Plym. Col. vol. H. p. 205.] 

The schism here referred to was caused by Obadiah Holmes 
and several others withdrawing themselves from Mr. Newman's 
church, in 1649, and setting up a separate meeting of their own. 
A full account of this affair will be given in the ecclesiastical his- 
tory of the town. 

February 9th, 1655,*' Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen, senior, 
Stephen Paine, senior, Thomas Cooper, senior, Robert Martin, 
William Carpenter, senior, and Peter Hunt, were chosen 
Townsmen. "It was also granted that they shall have power 
to order the prudential affairs of the town, and that they shall 
have power to call a town-meeting when they see cause." 

" At the same time Father Bowen was chosen Moderator to 
see good order in our town-meetings." 

By the following extract from the records of Plymouth Court, 
it will be seen that Mr. John Browne, a principal inhabitant of 
Rehoboth, and for a longtime one of the Governour's Assistants, 
was opposed to coercing people to support the ministry, al- 
though he was willing to contribute his full proportion. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 47 

"Whereas, a petition was presented unto the General Court, 
at Plymouth, the first of June, 1655, by several of the inhab- 
itants of the town of Rehoboth, whose hands were thereunto 
subscribed, desiring the Court to assist them in a way according 
to the orders of other Colonies about them, for the raising 
maintenance for their minister ; the sum of the petition seemeth 
to hold forth that those whose hands were not subscribed con- 
tributed nothing, or so little as was not esteemed of, which peti- 
tion occasioned some discourse about a forcible way to compel 
all the inhabitants of that town to pay a certain sum every year 
towards the maintenance of the minister. Whereupon Mr. 
John Browne, one of the magistrates then sitting in Court, and 
being one of the inhabitants of that town, and not being made 
acquainted with the said petition until the names of the inhabit- 
ants were subscribed ; to issue the said troublesome controversy, 
and take off the odium from others, did propound that forasmuch 
as those whose hands were lo the petition desired to submit 
themselves to a rate, that if the Court woidd send two of the 
magistrates unto Rehoboth to take notice of the estates of the 
petitioners, he would engage himself in the behalf of those 
who were the inhabitants of the said town, whose hands 
were not subscribed to the petition, that they should voluntarily 
contribute according to their estates ; and if any of them fell short 
in this business, he would supply that want of his own estate ; 
and this he would make good by engaging his lands for seven 
years in their behalf, while they staid, though he himself should 
remove from the place, which was approved of, and Captain 
Standish and Mr. Hatherly were then made choice of by the 
Court to see it ordered accordingly." 

In 1655, "Liberty is granted by the Court to the neighbor- 
hood in which Mr. Brown liveth at Rehoboth to make a pound 
to empound all horses or hogs that shall trespass upon them." 

[Plym. Col. Rec. vol. III. p. 84.] 

Plymouth, July 3, 1656. "Robert Abell is allowed by the 
Court to keep an ordinary at Rehoboth." 

"The Court have appointed and deputedlvlr. Joseph Pecke 
to administer marriage at Rehoboth." "And the said '^r. 
Pecke, Mr. Stephen Paine, and Richard Bovven are appointed 
and authorized to hear and determine all controversies there 
between any, so as it amount not to above the value of three 
pounds ; liberty being left to any to make their appeal to the 



48 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

Court of Plymouth, if there shall be reason." [Plym. Col. 
Rec. vol. 111. p. 102.] 

July 13tl), 1657. Voted, "That all such persons, or any 
person that is behind hand in their accounts with Mr. Newman 
for this year present, that they shall make up their accounts 
with Mr. Newman by a month after Michaelmas ; and in case it 
be neglected, then such townsmen as may be deputed, together 
with the deacons also, to go to such persons and labor to convince 
them of the neglect of their duty ; in case they find them ob- 
stinate, then the Court order is to be attended on." 

November 20th, 1757. Stephen Paine, senior, was chosen 
to assist Deacon Cooper, "to go to certain the inhabitants of 
the town, to put them on to clear their accounts with Mr. New- 
man." 

" It was also agreed that there shall be a town-meeting this 
day fortnight, and in case it appear that any person or persons 
be behind hand with Mr. Newman, that then some effectual 
course may be taken according to Court order, to make such to 
pay as have been negligent in their duty for the settling of Mr. 
Newman amongst us." 

It was also voted that persons neglecting to attend town-meet- 
ing should be fined 6d. 

December 9th, 1757. It was voted, " that Sampson Mason 
should have free liberty to sojourn with us, and to buy houses, 
lands or meadows, if he see cause for his settlement, provided 
that he lives peaceably and quietly." 

Samuel Mason had been, according to Benedict, [Hist. 
Bap. vol. I. p. 427] a soldier in the Commonwealth's army, 
commanded by Cromwell. He became a Baptist, emigrated to 
America, and, after having resided several years at Rehoboth, 
became ultimately one of the founders of Swansey. 

February 22, 1658. "The following persons are accepted 
as freemen of the town, to take up their freedom, namely, Joseph 
Peck, 'John Peck, Henry Smith, Robert Fuller, John Fitch, 
Stephen Paine, Jonathan Bliss, William Buckland, Rice Leon- 
ard." 

June 22d, 1658. "At a town-meeting lawfully warned, lots 
were drawn for the meadows that lie on the north side of the 
town, in order as foUoweth, according to person and estate : " 

1. John Peck, 4. Nicholas Ide, 

2. George Robinson, i>. James Reddeway, 

3. Robert Abell, 6. Jonathan Bliss, 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



49 



7. Mr. Winchester's children. 

8. Mr. Newman, 

9. George Kendrick, 

10. Stephen Payne, sen. 

11. John Butter worth, 

12. John Read, 

13. Thomas Wilmoth, 

14. John Fitch, 

15. Henry Smith, 

16. Will. Carpenter, sen. 

17. John Millard, jun. 

18. Robert Wheaton, 

19. Richard Bullock, 

20. Robert Martin, 

21. John Per rum, 

22. Richard Bowen, sen. 

23. Obadiah Bowen, 

24. Anthony Perry, 

25. Joseph Peck, 

26. John Matthews, 

27. John Allin, 




Peter Hunt, 
Tho. Cooper, jr. 
ffilhSabin, 
Philip Walker, 
Daniel Smith, 

34. John Dogget, 

35. Nicholas Peck, 
Rice Leonard, 
Robert Jones, 
Francis Stevens, 
Thomas Cooper, sen. 
John Woodcock, 
Edward Hall, 
Stephen Payne, jun. 

43. Roger Amadowne, 

44. Richard Bowen, jr. 

45. Robert Fuller, 

46. Will. Buckhn, 

47. Mr.|Peck, 

48. John^ Willard, sen. 

49. Will. Carpenter, jun. 



36. 
37. 

38. 
39. 
40. 
41, 
42. 



28. John Sutton, 

From the expression "the meadows that lie on the north 
side of the town," it appears that this division was of land after- 
wards included in the North Purchase, now Attleborough and 
Cumberland. 

The 2d of the 9th mo. [November,] 1658. The Indians 
were forbidden to set their traps within the town's bounds. 

" December the 9th, 1659. It was agreed upon between the 
town of Rehoboth and Lieutenant Hunt and William Bucklin 
that the said Lieutenant Hunt and William Bucklin is to shingle 
the new end of the meeting-house, and to be done as sufficient- 
ly as the new end of Goodman* Payne's house ; and they are 
to furnish nails, and to be done by May-day next ensuing, 
provided that the frame be ready in season : in consideration 
whereof they are to have £8 to be paid in good, merchantable 
wampum, when their work is done." 

"30th of the 11th mo. [January,] 1659. Voted to agree 
with Richard Bullock to perform the office of Town Clerk ; 

* This title Good-man, I have been informed, was used formerly much the 
same as Mr., Master, or Mister is with us at the present day. 

7 



50 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

to give him 16s. a year, and to be paid for births, burials, 
and marriages besides." 

March 17th, 1659, the town made an agreement with Wil- 
liam BuckHn "to enlarge the meeting-house the breadth of 
three seats throughout, to find boards and to finish it complete 
and answerable to the rest, with seats, the town finding nails." 

"The 19th, I'ith mo, [February] 1660, at a general town 
meeting, Capt. Willet, Mr. Peck, Richard Bowen, Stephen 
Payne, sen., Lieutenant Hunt, were chosen by the town, and 
empowered to view the town book, and to see that it be tran- 
scribed into a new book, all such things as they shall judge ma- 
terial for the good of the town, as also for the clearing of evi- 
dences of men's lands, according to Court orders, made in 
1654." 

2 1st of the 12th mo. [February] 1660. In town meeting it was 
voted " that Mr. Willet should have liberty to take up five hun- 
dred or six hundred acres of land northward or eastward, beyond 
the bounds of our town, where he shall think it most convenient 
for himself." 

1st day 2d mo. [April] 1661 . GilbertBrooks of Scituate, had 
" free liberty to be an inhabitant of Rehoboth, and to purchase 
what he may, if he be minded to come among us." 

In this year. Captain Thomas Willet, empowered by the 
Court of Plymouth, and having obtained the consent of the 
town of Rehoboth, purchased of Wamsitta,* or (as he is more 
commonly called,) Alexander, the elder brother of king Philip 
and son of Massassoit, a large tract of land, which was called 
Rehoboth North Purchase, now Attleborough (Mass.) and 
Cumberland, R. I. "It was bounded," says Daggett, "West 
by Pawtucket river, now Blackstone ; North by the Massachu- 
setts Colony or the bay line, (so called ;) East by territory 
which was afterwards the Taunton North Puichase, now Mans- 
field, Norton, and Easton; and South by the ancient Rehoboth, 
now Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Pawtucket. This purchase in- 
cluded Attleborough, Cumberland, R. I., and a tract of a mile 
and a half in width, extending east and west, (which was annex- 
ed to Rehoboth as an enlargement,) and a part of Mansfield and 
Norton. This purchase was afterwards, viz. April 10th, 1666, 

"The then Sachem of Pokanoket. His original name was Mooanum. He 
succeeded Massassoit as Sachem of the Wampanoags, and died in the summer 
of 1662. His wife's name was Namurapum or Wetamoo. — See Drake's Book 
eflht Indians, b. 3, c. 1, p. 1 — 8. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 51 

granted and confirmed by the Plymouth government to the in- 
habitants of Rehoboth." — Daggett's History of Attleborough, 
p. 6. 

The following is a copy of the Deed of this tract from 
Wamsitta, or Alexander, to Mr. Willet. 

" Know all men that I Wamsetta, alias Alexander, chief 
Sachem of Pokanokett, for divers good causes and valuable 
considerations me thereunto moving, have bargained and sold 
unto Captain Thomas Willet, of Wannamoisett,'all those tracts 
of land situate and being from the bounds of Rehoboth ranging 
upon Patuckett unto a place called Waweypounshag, the place 
where one Blackstone now sojourneth, and so ranging along to 
the said river unto a place called Messanegtacaneh and from 
this upon a straight line crossing through the woods unto the 
uttermost bounds of a place called Mamantapett or Wading 
river, and from the said river one mile and a half upon an east 
line, and from thence upon a south line unto the bounds of the 
town of Rehoboth. To have and to hold unto him the said 
Captain Willet and his associates, their heirs and assigns for- 
ever; reserving only a competent portion of land for some of 
the natives at Mishanegitaconett for to plant and sojourn upon, 
as the said Wamsetta alias Alexander and the said Thomas 
Willet jointly together shall see meet ; and the rest of all the 
land aforementioned, with the woods, waters, meadows, and all 
emoluments whatsoever to remain unto the said Thomas Willet 
and his associates, their heirs and assigns forever. Witness my 
hand and seal this eighth day of April, in the year 1661. 

" The mark of A X A 
Wamsitta alias Alexander, 
his seal [l.s.] 
*' Signed, sealed and delivered 

in presence of 

John Browne, jr. 

Jonathan Bosworth, 

John Sassaman, Interpreter. 

"April 10th, 1666. Witnesseth these presents, that Cap- 
tain Thomas Willet above said hath and doth hereby resign, 
deliver and make overall and singular the lands above mention- 
ed, purchased of Wamsitta alias Alexander, chief Sachem of 
Pokanokett, according unto the bounds above expressed, with 
all and singular the benefits, privileges, and immunities thereunto 
appertaining, unto Mr. Thomas Prence, Major Josias Winslow, 



52 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

Capt. Thomas Southworth, and Mr. Constant Southworth, in 
the behalf of the Colony of New Plymouth. In witness where- 
of he doth hereunto set his hand and seal. 

"Thomas Willet. [l.s.]" 
" Signed, sealed and delivered 

in presence of 

Daniel Smith, 

Nicholas Peck." 

" 6th, 7th mo. [September] 1661. Lieutenant Hunt and 
^ Joseph Peck were chosen to view the damage in the Indians' 
corn upon Kickamuet neck, and Consumpsit neck, and to give 
the town notice of it." 

The 14th of the 9th mo. [November] 1661. "Lieutenant 
Hunt and William Sabin were chosen to confer with Mr. Wil- 
let to know what he hath done about the north side of the town 
in the behalf of the town." 

27th of the 12th mo. [February] 1661. Samuel Luther was 
permitted to be a sojourner to buy or hire. 

"Plymouth, 1661. It is ordered by the Court that the ward 
of Rehoboth shall extend unto Sowamsett* and unto all the 
neighbours there inhabiting, as to the constable of Rehoboth, 
his execution of his office, as occasion shall require, which he 
is required by his orders to do and perform, as well there as in 
any other part of that constablericke." [Plym. Col. Rec. vol. 
III. p. 234.] 

"The 28th of the 5th mo. [July] 1662. It was voted that 
John Woodcock should have two rods of land to build a small 
house on for himself and his family to be in on the Lord's day, 
in some convenient place near the meeting-house; and Good- 
man Paine and Lieutenant Hunt were chosen to see where the 
most convenient place for it might be." 

December 16th, 1662. A fine of I5. 6cl. was ordered to be 
imposed on those who neglected to attend town-meeting. 

During this year the town was afflicted with the loss of one of 
its most influential and useful inhabitants, Mr. John Brown. 
He died April 10, I662,t at Wannamoiset. The following 
notice is made of him by Morton in his "New-England's Me- 
morial" [pp. 295, 296, 297]. " This year Mr. John Brown 
ended this life ; in his younger years travelling into the low coun- 

* Bristol or Barrington, — probably the former, 
t Rehoboth Town Records of deaths and burials. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 53 

tries, he came acquainted with, and took good liking to, the rev- 
erend pastor of the church of Christ at Ley den, as also to sun- 
dry of the brethren of that church : which ancient amity 
induced him (upon his coming over to New-England) to seat 
himself in the jurisdiction of New Plimouth, in which he was 
chosen a magistrate ; in which place he served God and the 
country several years ; he was well accomplished with abili- 
ties to both civil and religious concernments, and attained, 
through God's grace, unto a comfortable persvvasion of the love 
and favour of God to him ; he, falling sick of a fever, with much 
'serenity and spiritual comfort, fell asleep in the Lord, and was 
honourably buried at Wannamoiset near Rehoboth, in the spring 
of the year abovesaid." He was first elected to the office of 
assistant in Plymouth Colony in 1636, which office he ably filled 
for seventeen years. He was also one of the Commissioners of 
the United Colonies of New England from 1644 to 1655. The 
mention of this latter fact may serve to show in what estimation 
he was held in the colony, when we recollect that only two per- 
sons were chosen from each colony to that office. He was made 
a freeman of the colony of Plymouth in 1634.* He was one 
of the original proprietors of the town, and owned large estates 
in land both at Rehoboth and Wannamoiset. Mr. Brown was 
a friend to religious toleration, and was the first of the Plym- 
outh magistrates who expressed scruples as to the expediency 
of coercing the people to support the ministry. He was a man 
of talent, integrity, and piety, and his death was deeply felt 
through the whole colony. James Brown, who also was assis- 
tant in 1655, and lived at Swansey, was his son. 

" July 3d, 1663. It was voted by the town to send a letter to 
Samuel Fuller of Plymouth, that if he will come upon trial 
according to his ow^n proposition, the town is willing to accept 
of him ; and in case the town and he do accord, the town is wil- 
ling to accommodate him in the best way they can for his encour- 
agement." 

" It was also voted and agreed that his mother should be sent 
to, to see if she be willing to come and dwell amongst us, to 
attend on the office of a midwife, to answer the town's necessi- 
ty, which at present is great." 

Mr. Fuller was a physician residing at Plymouth. 

At the same town meeting, Goodman Searle was accepted as 
an inhabitant, and a home lot voted to him. 

"Baylies' Hist. Mem. of Plym. Col. vol. II. p. 201. 



54 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

In this year the town experienced a severe loss in the death 
of their learned and venerable pastor, the Rev. Samuel New- 
man. He died on the 5th of July, 1663. 

"The manner of his death," says Elliot, "was peculiar. He 
had a certain premonition of it, and seemed to triumph in the 
prospect of its being near. He was apparently in perfect 
health, and preached a sermon from these words, Job. xiv, 14, 
" All the days of my appointed time ivill I wait till my change 
come.'^ In the afternoon of the following Lord's day, he asked 
the deacon to pray with him, saying he had not long to live. 
As soon as he had finished his prayer, he said the time was 
come that he must leave this world. But his friends seeing no 
immediate signs of dissolution, thought it was the influence of 
imagination. But he turned round, saying, "angels do your 
office," and immediately expired.* This may appear like 
other marvellous circumstances related in the Magnalia, but 
it is handed down by persons not connected with that author, 
and was as much confirmed as any report depending upon tra- 
dition : and it is said that accounts of the death of Mr. New- 
man were written at the time and sent to England, as well as 
propagated through the towns of New-England." 

He was born at Banbury, (Oxfordshire) England, in 1600, 
of a family " more eminent and more ancient," says Mather, 
"than most in the realm of England." At the age of sixteenf 
he entered the university at Oxford, where he received his edu- 
cation. He commenced his ministry in England ; but, being a 
puritan, the molestations of the Episcopal clergy compelled him 
to no less than seven removes in his own country, and finally to 
his eighth and last remove, to America. He came to New- 
England in 1636 or 1638. J He spent some time at Dorches- 

• A tradition of this circumstance still exists in Rehoboth, which says, as he 
pronounced the words, " JVow ye angels of the Lord do your duty ; " he turned 
and fixed his eyes on a particular part of the room, as though he saw the 
angels present. 

t Wood's Athenae et Fasti Oxonienses, 3d ed. 4to. London, 1817, with ad- 
ditions by Philip Bliss, Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford, vol. III. p. 
64d. See also note A, Appendix, where all that is said by Wood concerning 
Newman is transcribed. 

I Judge Davis, in his edition of the Memorial, p. 217, says that Mr Newman 
came to New-England in 1G36, and was admitted a freeman in 1638. In a 
Chronological and Topographical account of Dorche.^ter, furnished by Dr. 
Harris, of that place, [Mass. Hist. Coll. ix. 191 , 1st Series,] it is stated that 
Mr. Newman was in the list of church members of that town in 1636. All 
the other authorities, — Mather, Elliot, Holmes, Neal, &c. place his arrival 
in 1638. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 55 

ter ; removed to Weymouth in 1639,* where he preached 
about four and a lialf or five years ; and thence, at the close of 
the year 1643 or the commencement of 1644, emigrated with 
a majority of his congregation to Rehoboth, where he passed 
the remainder of his hfe. 

He was a hard student, an animated preacher, and an excel- 
lent and pious man. He was ardently beloved by his people, 
and his death was long and deeply lamented. 

He compiled a Concordance of the Bible, — a herculean 
labor, — the third f in English that ever was published, and 
which far surpassed either of the two that preceded it. The 
first edition of this Concordance was published at London, 
1643, J in folio. After his removal at Rehoboth, he revised 
this Concordance and greatly improved it, using in the evening, 
according to President Stiles, pine knots instead of candles. 
This edition was published at London, in 1650. A third edi- 
tion was published at London, in 165S, in a thick folio. || It 
contains an advertisement to the reader, by Daniel Featly, and 
another by W. Gouge. These three editions of Mr. Newman's 
Concordance, which were published during his hfetime, bear 
his name ; but another edition was published soon after at Cam- 
bridge, considerably improved, which took the name of the 
" Cambridge Concordance ,^\ which title it has since borne. 

* See Appendix to Rev. Mr. Bent's sermon at the dedication of the North 
meeting-house in Weymouth. The notes there found were prepared by the 
Hon. Christopher Webb, who has in preparation a history of Weymouth, and 
to whose kindness I acknowledge myself indebted, in this history. 

t See Preface to Cruden's Concordance, and also of Newman's Concordance, 
3d edition fol. Lond. ]()58. 

+ Judge Diivis in his notes to Morton's Memorial says 1640 : I have follow- 
ed Wood, who gives 1G43. 

II I have seen no mention of this edition by any writer. I found a copy of 
it in the Athenteum Library, Boston. It is a very thick folio, bearing the 
name of '"Nkwman's Concordance" stamped on the back. The title pnge 
says, " A large and compleat Concordance,' &c. by " Samuel Newman, 
now teacher of the Church at Relioboth in Niw-Enghntd.'' [For the title-page 
see Appendix, note B.] TlTis Contnins a Concord nice c^ the Apocrypha, 
which is written separately, and placed in the end of the volume. 

§ Cruden, in tlie prei'ace to his Concordance, published at London in 1738, 
and dedicated to the Queen of Engl.ind, appears to have been ignorant that 
Newman's Concordance was essentinllv the same as the Cambridge Concord- 
ance, the latter only a more improved edition of the former, i^pcaking of the 
various English Concordances that had preceded his, he says the first was by 
Marbeck, in 15.50, and referred only to chapters; the second by Cotton, in 
1631 : the third, by Mr. Newman, " more complete ; and lastly we have had 
one published under the title of the Cambridge Concordance." An author of 
a life of the Rev. Hugh Peters, (the Rev. Samuel Peters, L.L.D ) erroneously 
states that Cruden wrote his Concordance at Rehoboth, and tliat it was the 
first Concordance ever written in the English tongue. [See Appendix, note C] 



56 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

Thus, as Mr. Newman, while living, is said to have been fraudu- 
lently deprived of all pecuniary advantage* from so laborious a 
work; so, when dead, even the author's more common but less 
substantial recompence of "a name" seems also to have been 
denied him. 

He is honourably mentioned by Anthony Wood in his " Ath- 
enae et Fasti Oxonienses;" and Mather, in his "Magnalia," 
passes the highest encomiums on his learning, industry, and piety. 
"He loved his church," says the latter, "as if it had been his 
family, and taught his family as if it had been his church. He 
was a hard student, and as much toil and oil as his learned 
name-sake, Neander, employed in illustrations and commenta- 
ries upon the old Greek, pagan poets, our Newman bestowed 
in compiling his Concordances of the Sacred Scriptures : and 
the incomparable relish which the Sacred Scriptures had with him, 
while he had them thus under his continual rumination, was as 
well a mean as a sign of his arriving to an extraordinary measure 
of that sanctity, which the truth produces. But of his family dis- 
cipline there was no part more notable than this one ; that once a 
year he kept a solemn day of humiliation with his family, and 
once a year a day of thanksgiving ; and on these days he would 
not only enquire of his household what they had met withal to 
be humbled, or to be thankful for, but also he w^ould recruit the 
memoirs of his diary." Hospitality was a marked trait in his 
character ; " and I can tell," says Mather, " when he entertained 
angels not unawares," referring, probably, to the scene of his 
death, which has been related. 

It is to be regretted that the diary and papers of this learned 
and excellent man were unfortunately lost. Mather was able 
to recover a fragment only, which will be given entire. 

"Notes or marJcs-f of grace, I find in myself; not wherein I 
desire to glory, but to take ground of assurance, and after our 
apostle's rules, to make my election sure, though I find them but 
in weak measure. 

1. I love God, and desire to love God, principally for him- 
self 

2. I desire to requite evil with good. 

3. A looking up to God, to see him, and his hand, in all things 
that befall me. 

* A matter of tradition. 

t This extract is italicised precisely as found in the Magnalia. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 57 

4. A greater fear of displeasing God, than all the world. 

5. A love of such christians as I never saw, or received good 
from . 

6. A grief when I see God's commands broken by any person. 

7. A mourning for not findhig the assurance of God's love, and 
the sense of his favour, in that comfortable manner, at one 
time as at another ; and not being ahle to serve God as I 
should. 

8. A willingness to give God the glory of any ability to do 
good. 

9. A joy when I am in christian company, in Godly con- 
ference. 

10. A grief , when I perceive h goes ill with christians, and 
the contrary. 

11. A constant performance of secret duties, between God 
and myself, morning and evening. 

12. A bewailing of such sins, which none in the world can 
accuse me of. 

13. A choosing of suffering to avoid sin." 

Mather concludes his sketch of Mr. Newman with the fol- 
lowing Latin epitaph : 

" Mortuus est Neander Nov-Anglus, 

Qui ante mortem dedicit mori, 

Et obiit ea morte, quae potest esse, ars bene moriendi." 

The posterity of Mr. Newman were very numerous ; and 
some of his lineal descendants, bearing his name, are found in the 
lists of the present inhabitants of the original town of Reho- 
both.* Antipas Newman, the minister of Wenham, who mar- 
ried, in 1658, Elizabeth, the daughter of Governour Winthrop, 
and died Oct 15, 1672, is supposed to have been his son.f 
Noah Newman J was also his son. He succeeded his father in 
the ministry, in March, 1668, and continued therein till his death, 
Af)ril 16, 1676. He married Joanna, '§> daughter of Rev. 
Henry Flint, one of the first ministers of Braintree (now 
Quincy.) Her mother was Margery Hoar, sister of Rev. 
Leonard Hoar, third President of Harvard College. The chil- 
dren of the Rev. Noah Newman were, Henry, born Nov. 10, 

* Deacon Sylvanus Newman, of Seekonk, is a lineal descendant of the 
Rev. Samuel Newman. 

t Allen's Am. Biographical and Historical Dictionary. Farmer's Register. 

X Several writers have stated Mns a.s probable ; but I find traditions sufficient- 
ly strong and clear to assure me of the fact. 

§ Farmer's Register. 



58 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

1670, Samuel, born Aug. 22, 1672, and Sibil, born March 31, 
1675. Samuel Newman, probably the oldest son of tlie Rev. 
Samuel Newman, lived at Rehoboth. He married Basheba 
Chickering, Dec. 6, 1659, and had eight children; JMary born 
Jan. 3, 1660, Basheba, born Jan. 19, 1661, Satnuel, born Feb. 
21, 1662, David, born, Nov. 1, 1665, John, born July 1, 1668, 
Hopestill, born July 19, 1669, Mary, born Nov. 7, 1670, An- 
tipas, born March 29, 1673. Hope, (or Hopestill,) a daughter 
ot" the Rev. Samuel Newman, was born at Weymouth, Nov. 
29, 1641. She was married to the Rev. George Shove, a 
native of Dorchester, and third minister of Taunton, and died 
March 7, 1674, leaving three sons and two daughters. 

Mr. Newman was interred in the burying ground south of the 
Consrciiational meeting-house in Seekonk. But 

" Not a stone 

Tells where he lies." 

A few rods south of the " Proprietors' Tomb " are two 
stones, one standing erect, the other lying horizontally upon four 
stones fixed perpendicularly in the ground, bearing the names of 
two females of the name of Newman, of an early date ; and 
beside them are two heaps of stones, raised, apparently, to sup- 
port flat stones upon the top, a fragment or two only of which re- 
main : here, it is conjectured, repose the ashes of the first two 
ministers of Rehoboth, Rev. Samuel and Rev. Noah Newman. 
The horizontal stone remaining is inscribed with the name of 
Mrs. Basheba Newman, deceased, August 8, 1687, the wife of 
Deacon Samuel Newman. \Presu1ent Stiles' Literary Diary. 
Wood's Athen. et Fast. Oxon. iii. 648. Magnal. iii. 387-392. 
Holmes' Am. Annals, i. 332 — 333. Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. 
ix. 191, 1st Series. Morton's Mem. ed. by Judge Davis, 217, 
297 — 8. Allen's Am. Biog. &f Hist. Die. and" Elliofs Biog. 
Die. Farmer's Register of the First Settlers of Neiv-Eng- 
land. Mass. Hist. Coll. vii. 187, New Series. Baylies' Hist. 
Mem. of Plymouth Colony, i. 316, ii. 196, 209, 211. John- 
son's Wonder Work. Prov. chap. x. 127. Pref to Cruden's 
Concordance. Pref. to Newman's Concordance, 3d ed. Lond. 
1658, fol. Neal's Hist, of the Puritans, 3 vols. 8vo. ii. 315. 
Neal's Hist, of New-England, vol. II. chap. viii. p. 341.] 



In September. 1663, " At a meeting of the church and town, 
it was concluded that Mr. Zachariah Symes should have forty 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 59 

pounds for this year, and his diet at Mrs. Newman's besides. 
At the same time Stephen Payne, senior, and Lieutenant Hunt 
were chosen to go down to his friends, to use means for the set- 
thng of him with us for this present year." 

November 2, 1663. "At a town meeting lawfully warned, 
those men whose names are here following and appended, were 
chosen and empowered by the town, either to buy Joseph 
Peck's house and house-lot, and to set up an addition to it, to 
make it fit for the ministry, if they judge it convenient for such 
a use, or to build a new house upon the town's lands, whether 
they in their wisdom shall judge to be most convenient : Good- 
man Payne, John Allen, sen., Lieutenant Hunt, Mr. Browne, 
Anthony Perry, Goodman Walker, Thomas Cooper, jr., Henry 
Smith." 

"At the same time it was voted, that a rate should be made 
to raise charges for to build a house for the ministry, when the 
townsmen shall call for it ; and that the price of corn for the 
carrying on of the building of the public house shall be, — 
Indian corn at 3^., rye at 4s., and wheat at 55.; and what cattle 
are paid towards it is to be good at May-day next, or therea- 
bouts, all horse kind and hogs being excepted against." 

Nov. 25, 1663. Voted, that Alexander, the Irishman, a 
brickmaker. should be freely approved among us, for to make 
brick, and that he should have free liberty to make use of the 
clay and wood on the commons for that purpose." 

At the same time, "it was voted and agreed upon, that, 
whereas God by his providence hath lately taken away from us 
our dear teacher, yet out of his goodness and mercy hath 
brought amongst us Mr. Zachariah Symes, whom we honour 
and respect ; yet with reference to the place we live in, we judge 
it expedient to look out for another godly, able minister to 
labour with him in the work of the ministry, and therefore do 
accept of Mr. Willet's proposition, as to embrace any opportu- 
nity that Providence shall guide him to for that end." 

June 20, 1664. It was voted, " that the public house, in- 
tended for the ministry, shall be set on the west side of the run, 
in the middle of the common, being the place appointed for a 
teacher's lot, being six acres." 

December 20, 1664. Four pounds and seventeen shillings 
were voted, being the sum which Captain Willet agreed to give 
Philip for growing corn in the neck, and that Captain Willet 
should agree with Philip for the year ensuing. 



60 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

" Januaiy 24, l664, [1665.*] At a town meeting upon public 
notice given, it was agreed by vote, that the former power that 
was granted to Mr. Willet, for to procure an able minister to 
assist Mr. Symes in the ministry, was further confirmed to 
him by the town." 

May 22, 1665. " Sam, the Indian that keeps the cows, was 
admitted by the town as an inhabitant, to buy or hii"e house or 
lands if he can, in case the Court allow it." 

" This," says Baylies, " is believed to have been the first 
and only instance of an Indian resident among the English, who 
was admitted to the rights of citizenship within this colony." 

Whether or not this vote was " allowed by the Court " we are 
not informed. 

May 22, 1G65. " John Lowell was admitted by the town to 
buy or hire house or land if he can." 

June 6, 1665. The town voted to pay the Governour their 
proportion of £50 ; also, that there be a standing council, three 
in number, with the Governour, and that this council be renewed 
yearly. 

April 18, 1666. It was voted by the town, "that the 
late purchasers of land upon the north side of our town shall 
bear forty shillings in a I'ate of £5, and so proportionable in all 
other public charges." 

" It was also voted that there shall be a three railed fence set 
up and maintained, between the late purchased land on the north 
side of the town, to be set up on all the end of the plain from 
Goodman Buckland's lands to the Mill river ; and every man 
that is interested in said purchased lands to bear an equal pro- 
portion in the aforesaid fence according to their proportion of 
lands." 

" Voted also to make choice of a committee for the settling 
and stating of the late purchased lands on the north side of our 
town, viz : whether such as at present seem questionable are 
true proprietors of the aforesaid lands : and the committee cho- 
sen were Capt. Willet, with the townsmen, and those that stand 
engaged for the payment of the aforesaid purchased lands." 

This committee reported, April 23d. 

It was also voted by the town, " that Mr. Goodman Martin shall 
enjoy a spot of fresh meadow that lies on the north side of the 
town, lying at the end of the Great Plain, during his Hfe and his 
wife's, and at their decease to return to the town." 

' New Style 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



61 



" At the same time it was agreed between the town and Capt. 
Willett, that for the forty acres of meadow that he is to have to 
his larm, on the north side of the town, he is, by agreement made 
with tiie town, to have high Squisset and low Squisset ; and the 
bounds of the said Squisset meadows to be according to the sight 
of the surveyors, the day that they laid out his farm, that is, 
Henry Smith and William Carpenter ; and he is also to have a 
piece of meadow at the Seven Mile river, near unto the going 
out at the highway, and six acres of meadow at the Ten Mile 
river, and what there wants of the six acres in quality is to be 
made up in quantity ; the said six acres of meadow on the Ten 
Mile river lies by the old highway as we go into the bay." 

"April 23, 1666. The committee that was chosen by the 
town, April 18th, 1666, at a town meeting, for the stating and 
settling of the late purchased lands, upon the north side of our 
town, the aforesaid committee being met together, this twenty- 
third of April, we see cause that there shall be seventy-six whole 
shares and equal purchasers in the aforesaid lands, and six per- 
sons that have half shares, which we see cause lo add to the 
seventy-six whole shares, so that the whole number of shares 
amounts to seventy-nine shares." 

May 15, 1666. In town meeting, " It was agreed by joint 
consent, that a third man alone for the work of the ministry 
should be forthwith looked for, and such a one as may preach to 
the satisfaction of the whole, (if it be the will of God for the 
settling of peace amongst us, according to the former renewed 
counsel sent us from our honored Governor and Assistants.) 
The meeting was adjourned to the 19th, to make choice of a 
committee to obtain a " third man alone for the work of the 
ministry." " Richard Bullock declared his protest against this 
act, as judging it the sole work of the church." 

May 19, 1666. " At a town meeting lawfully warned, the 
town concluded to have a meeting upon the last Tuesday in 
June, to consider of the meadows on the north side of the town, 
how they may be disposed of for this present year ; it is there- 
fore agreed by this town, that no man shall mow a load or part 
of a load of grass, before the town hath disposed of them, upon 
the penalty of twenty shillings the load or part of a load." 

" May 23, 1666. Mr. Symes was admitted by the town as 
an inhabitant, to purchase or hire for his money." 

" At the same time Mr. Myles was voted to be invited to 
preach, viz : once a fortnight on the week day, and once on the 
Sabbath day." 



62 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH 

June 26, 1666. " Stephen Paine, senior, Mr. Browne, and 
Goodman Allen were chosen Selectmen to answer the Court 
order." 

The}^ were the first Selectmen chosen by the town. The 
Townsmen still continued to be chosen as usual. 

"August the 13th, 1666. It was voted and agreed upon by 
the town that an able man for the work of the ministry shall, 
with all convenient speed, be looked for, as an officer for this 
church, and a minister for the town, such a one as may be sat- 
isfactory to the generality." 

"At the same time it was also voted and agreed upon by the 
town, that Mr. Myles shall still continue to lecture on the week 
day, and further on the Sabbath, if he be thereunto legfilly cal- 
led." vx ■ >- 

" At the same time, the town made choice of Deacon Cooper, 
Lieutenant Hunt,NNicholas Peck, and Ensign Smith, as mes- 
sengers; to look out for an able man for the work of the minis- 
try, according to the vote aforesaid, and they are to go in the 
first place to Mr. Esterbrook's." 

October 16, 1666. "At a town meeting it was concluded, 
that the purchased lands on the north side of the town shall be 
divided between this and the first of May next ensuing." 

It was also voted by the town, "that no person shall fall any 
trees upon the aforesaid lands on the north side of our town 
before the said lands be divided, upon the penalty of ten shil- 
lings for every tree so fallen." 

The same day, "John Doggett, John Woodcock, and John 
Titus were chosen by the town to see what timber trees are 
fallen on the late purchased lands, on the north side of our 
town, and they shall have the forfeiture for their pains, and the 
trees to those that the land shall fall to." 

December 10, 1666. "At a town meeting it was voted and 
agreed upon, that Mr. Burkley should continue still amongst us 
till the first of April next ensuing, upon further trial, in refer- 
ence to the vote of August 13, — 66, which is in order to the 
settlement in the ministry, if he be approved of." 

The same day, Thomas Esterbrook was admitted as an in- 
habitant. 

"June 22, 1667. At a town-meeting it was voted by the 
town that the meadows lying on the north side of the town shall 
be for this present year as they were last year." 

Since the disturbances caused in the church at Rehoboth, in 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 63 

1649, by Obadiah Holmes and his adherents, the rehgious affairs 
of the town had been far from being in a quiet state ; and the 
number of Baptists, so far from being lessened by persecu- 
tion, had been gradually increasing. In 1663 it was strength- 
ened by the arrival of the Rev. John Myles, with a part of his 
church, from Swansea, in Wales, (England,) whence he had 
been ejected for non-conformity. This church he had founded 
at Swansea (Wales) in 1649. On their removal to this coun- 
try, they brought with them their records, which were in Welch,* 
large extracts from which, says Benedict, in his History of the 
Baptists, were made by Mr. Backus, and sent over to Mr. 
Thomas of Leominster, England, the historian of the Welsh 
Baptists. In 1663, Mr. Myles formed a Baptist church in Re- 
hoboth, the fourth formed in America. It was organized in the 
house of John Buttervvorth, and commenced with seven mem- 
bers. 'Iheir names were, John Miles, (or Myles, as more fre- 
quently spelled in the records,) pastor, James Brown, Nicholas 
Tanner, Joseph Carpenter, John Butterworth, Eldad Kingsley, 
and Benjamin Alby. This measure was offensive to the Con- 
gregational church of the town, and to the other churches of 
the colony ; and the interposition of the Court of Plymouth 
was soon called for to arrest the growing schism. Each member of 
this new church was fined £5, prohibited from worship, for the 
space of one month ; and they were advised to remove from 
Rehoboth to some place where they might not prejudice any 
existing church. In pursuance with this advice, they removed 
to Wannamoiset, and erected a house near Kelley's bridge, on a 
neck of land which is now in the town of Barrington. After- 
wards they erected another house, on the east side of Palmer's 
river, about half a mile from the bridge, which is still known by 
the name of "Myles's bridge." It stood a short distance from 
the spot where the present house of the same church now 
stands. In 1667, these Baptists were incorporated into a town 

* Benedict states that these records, in Welch, are still in the possession of 
this church. The only records which that church now possesses are in Eng- 
lish. These commence in 1649, at Swansea, Wales, and contain copies of 
letters addressed to the church by several Baptist churches of England and 
Ireland. I am inclined to think that the ichole of the original Welch records 
were sent to England by Mr. Backus, and there translated into English ; and 
that a copy of the translation was returned to the Swansey church. They are 
in an excellent state of preservation, and written in a hand altogether too 
modern for the date which they bear. 



64 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

by the name of Svvansey.* This town originally comprised 
within its limits the present town, together with Somerset, 
Mass., Barrington, and the greater part of Warren, R. I. 

Mr. Miles continued the minister of Swansea till his death, 
which occurred February 3, 1683. His wife was Ann, the 
daughter of John Humphrey. [Baylies^ Mem. of Plym. Col. 
ii. 2I3, 235 — 250. Allen's Am. Biog. &/■ Hist. Die. Back- 
us' and Benedict's Histories of the Ba/ptists.] 



On the 30th of March, 1668, Philip, who had succeeded his 
brother Alexander, as Sachem of the Wampanoags, or Pokano- 
kets, as they are sometimes called, confirmed to the town the 
purchase of the " eight miles square," made of Massassoit, or 
Ossamequin, his father, in 1641, and relinquished all claim and 
title to the same, by giving the town a quit-claim warrantee 
deed, f Of this deed the following is an exact copy ; in trans- 
cribing it the original orthography has been preserved. 



Quit-Claim Deed of King Philip. 

" Know all men by these presents that, whereas Osamequin, 
Sachem, deceased, did, for good and valluable considerations, 
in the year one thousand Six Hundred and forty and one, give, 
grant, convey, assure ence ofFe, and confirm unto Mr. John 
Brown, and Mr. Edward Winslow deceased, a tract of land of 
Eight miles square, scituate, lying and being both on the East 
and west sides of a river now called Palmer's river to the prop- 
erty and behoof of the townsmen of Seacunck, alias Rehoboth : 
1 Phillip Sachem, eldest son, heir and successor to the said Os- 
amequin Sachem, do hereby for my self, mine heires, assigns 

* This name has been written in three different ways, viz : Swansea, Swan- 
zey, and Swansey. The first is tlie way in which it is written in the earliest 
records, and is the orthography of the town in Wales, from which this derived 
its name. 

tThe original deed is still extant, and in the possession of the proprietors of 
Rehoboth, in the keeping of Capt. Worcester Carpenter, proprietor's clerk. 
The mark of Philip is large and bold, resembling a Roman p, or, perhaps, 
more nearly a short dagger. I hope the proprietors will be induced to deposit 
this deed in the archives of the Rhode Island Historical Society, at Providence. 
There it would be carefully preserved, and be within only a short distance of 
Rehoboth. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



65 



and successors remise, release, and for ever quit all manner of 
right, title, claime or interest that I the said phillip Sachem have, 
or by any colour or pretence whatsoever might or ought to have 
to the said tract of lands Eight mile square, lying on the East 
and west sides of Palmer's river aforesaid, unto Mr, Stephen 
Paine the elder, Peter Hunt, John Allen, Henry Smith, and 
others, the select men of the town of Rehoboth ; fFor and to 
the use of themselves and of all the other Townsmen of the said 
town, as they are respectively concerned and estated therine, 
and to the use of all and every of their heires and assigns for 
ever. And furthermore I the said Phillip sachem do hereby 
firmly bind my self, mine heires, assigns and successors to free 
and discharge, secure and save harmlesse the said Stephen Pain, 
Peter Hunt, John Allen, Henry Smith and the select men afore- 
said, and all other the Inhabitants of Rehoboth, their heii's and 
assigns for ever from all former and other bargains, sales titles, 
and all other incumbrances whatsoever had, made, done or suf-- 
fered by me the said phillip sachem, or the said Osemequin my 
father deceased ; or hereafter to be made, done, committed or 
suffered by me the said phillip sachem, mine heires, assigns or 
successors. In witnesse whereof I have hereunto put my hand 
and seal, the thirtieth day of the ffirst Month, Called March, In 
the yeare of our lord one Thousand Six Hundred Sixty and 
Eight." 

" be it remembered that 
Philip aknowledged be- 
fore the ensealing and 
delivery hereof that os- 
emequin receaved full 
satisfaction of the said 
Mr. Brown and Mr. 
Winslow for the said 
Eight mile square, and 
fFor the hundred acres, 
lying on the south side 
of the bounds of Reho- 
both, now called by the 
name of the Hundred 
acres to the use of the 
said town. 



"Signed, Sealed 
and delivered in the 
presence of 

the mark of Umptakisok Counsellor 
the mark of phillip Counseller. 



the mark of S Sunconewhew phillip's 
brother. 

the mark of peebee _ Counsellor. 



66 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



The mark of phillip p sachem. 

the mark of ^ Tom Interpreter. 

(seal.) 
John Myles Junio : Phillip the Sachem did 

acknowledge this deed, 
John j Landon's mark. this first of June, 1668, 

Before 
the mark ^ of wm. Hammon. Jos. Winslow, 

Joseph Sabin. Assist. 

April 10, 1668. At a town meeting "it was voted that, 
whereas the select townsmen did give Philip, Sachem a gratuity 
at the sealing of an evidence of our eight mile square, the sum 
of eight pounds twelve shillings ; that the said select townsmen 
shall make a rate for the payment of it." 

At the same meeting the town chose a committee, " to go 
and view the meadows that are in the North Purchase, and to 
acre them out, to divide them into three score and eighteen 
parts and a half, and to mark and bound out each part, and put 
in such swamps as in their prudence they think meet, to be laid 
out in the said division : provided they do it equally as they 
can. The said committee are Anthony Perry, Philip Walker, 
Thomas Wilmot, Nicholas Ide ; to be paid by the whole com- 
pany of purchasers. 

May 13, 1668. " It was voted and agreed upon that the new 
book of records should be recorded at Plymouth, this next June 
Court." 

"William Carpenter at the same time was chosen Town 
Clerk." 

Voted, that the deed given by the Indians to the town "be 
delivered to the committee of the town, that they may record it 
at the Court of New Plymouth, the next June Court." 

Voted, " that a committee shall be chosen to draw up a peti- 
tion to send to the Court at Plymouth, the next General Court, 
that we might have some redress in respect of the difficulty of 
the transportation of our county rates. The committee chosen, 
were Mr. Stephen Payne, sen., Lieut. Hunt, and Ensign Smith, 
committe to sign this petition in the name of the town." 

It was also voted " that the rates upon the north side of the 
town be lowered, and part taken off; that is to say, whereas 



HISTORY OP REHOBOTH. 



67 



the lands upon the North Purchase paid forty shillings of 5 
pounds in all rates, that now the said lands shall pay 20 shillings 
in 5 pounds, until the town see cause to alter it." 

May 26, 1668. " It was voted and agreed upon for the en- 
couragement of a brickmaker, in the town, the town ordered 
that if any come, he shall have free liberty of wood and clay, 
at the half-mile swamp, to make what brick he will." 

The same day lots were drawn for the meadow lands in the 
North Purchase by the following persons : 



Obadiah Bowen, 
Samuel Luther, 
Stephen Paine, sen. 
John Savage, 
Goody Hide, 
Children's lands, 
Thomas Reade, 
Preserved Abell, 
William Carpenter, 
Gilbert Brooks, 
Thomas &l Jacob Ormsby, 
Robert Jones, 
John Reade, sen. 
Nathaniel Paine, sen. 

- Robert Wheaton, 
Widow Carpenter, 
Benjamin Buckland, 
Phihp Walker, 
John Peren, sen. 
John Ormsby, 
Jaret Ingraham, 
Nathaniel Paine, jun. 
Henry Smith, 

i Nicholas Peck, 
Jonathan Bosworth, 
Samuel Carpenter, 

- Richard Whitaker, 
Mr. Tanner, 
Stephen Paine, jun. 
Jonathan Palmer, 
James Redeway, 
Nicholas Ide, 
Deacon Cooper, 



James Gilson, 

Rice Leonard, 

Samuel Newman, 

John Doggett, 

Anthony Perry, 

Thomas Cooper, jun. 

George Kendricke, 

John Butterworth, 

Mr. Myles, 

Richard Bowen, jun. 

Mr. Newman, 
■^ Joseph Peck, 

William Sabin, 

Ichabod Miller, jun. 

Mr. Daniel Smith, 

Mr. Browne, 

Robert Miller, 

John Titus, 
J Nathaniel Peck, 

George Robinson, 

Robert Fuller, 

John Fitch, 

Thomas Willmot, 

William Buckland, 

John Kinslye, 

Jonathan Fuller, 

John Miller, sen. 

Joseph Carpenter, 
j Samuel Peck, 

Sampson Mason, 

John Allin, jun. . 

John Reade, jun. 

John Lowell, 



68 HISTORY OP REHOBOTtt. 

Joseph Buckland, Francis Stephens, 

Thomas Grant, Edward Hall, 

Israel Peck, John Woodcock, 

Captain WiJlet, John Allin, sen, 

Jonathan Bliss, Abraham Martin, 

Lieutenant Hunt, Ovid Bullock. 

Eldad Kinsly, 
During this year, the Rev. Noah Newman, son of the Rev. 
Samuel Newman, was settled by the church and town as their 
minister. 

December 4, 1668, the following vote was passed by the town 
relative to his support ; " that Mr. Newman should have forty 
pounds a year and his wood provided, to begin last March, for 
his comfortable maintenance, for the carrying in end the work of 
the ministry amongst us. Deacon Carpenter, Lieutenant Hunt, 
and Goodman Roades were chosen to see that the aforesaid order 
should be accomplished, and to speak to those that are defective 
In their not doing their duty." 

From the above vote it appears that Mr. Newman commen- 
ced his ministry in Rehoboth, in March, 

January 1, 1668 — 9.* "It was voted that there should be 
some land broke and fenced about the minister's house, for the 
planting of an orchard, and other conveniences ; and the towns- 
men were appointed to see the thing accomplished," 

May 14, 1669. "It was voted and agreed upon, that the 
house which was built for the ministry Mr, Newman should en- 
joy as long as he continues in the work of the ministry amongst 
us." 

" It was also at the same time voted, that Mr, Newman should 
also, enjoy the lands, meadows, commons, &lc. of the pastors 

* Style is Old and New. In Old Style the year commenced on the 25th of 
March. The correction of the calender by Pope Gregory, in 1582, was not 
adopted by the British Parliament till 175], when it was ordered that eleven 
days should be struck out of September of 1752, and the third day of that 
month was reckoned the fourteenth. ^ This latter mode of reckoning is called 
JVew Style, and the year commenced on the first of January. Before the year 
1752, there was sometimes a confusion in dates, it being difficult to determine 
whether January, February, and a part of March closed the year or began 
another. Hence the mode of double dates, as " Jan. 1, 1G68-9," which is 1669 
New style. And in order to find the day of the month in New Style, corre- 
sponding to a given day of any month in Old Style, we must consider the 
latter as eleven days in advance of the former, and add eleven days to the 
present date. For instance, the 24th of March 1668, Old Style, corresponds 
to April 4th, 1669, New Style. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 69 

and teachers, as long as he continues in the work of the ministry 
amongst us : excepting there shall be another officer chosen and 
settled amongst us, and then Mr. Newman is to have one of the 
accommodations of pastors or teachers, and the other officer, if 
ever any be joined with him, is to have the other accommoda- 
tions so long as they attend their work." 

" At the same time it was voted, enacted, and agreed upon, 
that, seeing it is the intention of the town to preserve the house 
built for the ministry, and to keep it for that use ; the town 
therefore seeth cause to engage themselves, that, if it should 
please God, that by his providence he should remove Mr. New- 
man by death, while he continues in the ministerial work, and 
should leave a wife and family behind him ; that his wife or 
family that he leaves behind him, shall have four-score pounds 
paid to her or them, at their leaving or removing out of the 
house, and the said four-score pounds to be raised by a rate of 
the inhabitants of the town, according to their several propor- 
tions. The former word family, to be interpreted Mr. New- 
man's children." 

"At the same time it was also voted, that Mr. Newman 
should have three-score pounds a year paid him yearly, for his 
comfortable subsistence in the work of the ministry. And Mr. 
Stephen Pain, senior. Deacon Cooper, and William Sabin, were 
chosen by the town, desiring them to take some pains to see 
how it might be raised : that if it might be, it might be raised 
freely ; for every person whom it concerns to contribute towards 
it freely ; and that thenceforward persons will take care that it 
might be effectually accomplished ; and also, that the forty 
pounds a year which is past be inquired into, to see if it be ac- 
complished : and if these persons do apprehend that the afore- 
said way will not effect the thing, then the town are to seriously 
consider of some other way, that it may be effected for the 
comfortable carrying on of the worship and ordinances of God 
amongst us." 

At the same meeting, " the town with one consent declared 
by vote, that the proposition from the Court about sales of guns, 
powder, and shot to the Indians, they apprehend it will be 
greatly detrimental to our English interest, and therefore declare 
themselves against it." 

July 29, 1669. At a town meeting it was voted "that a rate 
should be made to answer the warrant from the Court ; and the 
raters chosen were Mr. Stephen Paine, senior, Lieutenant 



70 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

Hunt, Henry Smith, Nicholas Peck, Deacon Cooper, Philip 
Walker." 

" Voted that those that pay butter, shall pay for the trans- 
portation of butter, and they that pay wheat, shall pay for the 
transportation of their wheat, and they that pay money, to pay 
for no transportation of either wheat or butter." 

There was a rate made the 30th of July, 1669, being the 
first part of the payment of the county rate, amounting to the 
sum of £13 35. 

November 4, 1669. " It was voted and agreed that there 
should be a rate made for the purchasing of powder and lead, 
as much as will make up the town stock, according to the order 
of the Court, with what there is already. Mr. Stephen Paine, 
Lieutenant Hunt, Ensign Smith, Philip Walker, and Nicholas 
Peck, were chosen to make the rate." 

December 12, 1670. At a town meeting, " Deacon Cooper, 
Lieutenant Hunt, John Reade, senior, and William Sabin, were 
chosen raters, to make a rate for Mr. Newman's maintenance, 
according to a former vote." 

Novembers, 1670. "At a town meeting lawfully warned, 
it was voted that the line should be forthwith run between the 
North Purchase and the mile and a half given to the town for 
enlargement." 

The "mile and a half," here referred to, was the subject of 
considerable dispute between the town of Rehoboth and the 
proprietors of the North Purchase, being claimed by both. It 
was given to Rehoboth by a mere verbal grant from commis- 
sioners of the Colony ; and was at length confirmed to them by 
the Plymouth Court, in the following act of June, 1668. "This 
Court have ordered, that a tract of land, containing a mile and 
a half, lying on the north side of the town of Rehoboth, is al- 
lowed to be the proper right of the said township. And such 
lands as are lying betwixt the Bay line and it, is to be accounted 
within the constablerick of Rehoboth, until the Court shall order 
otherwise. And that such farms as lyeth within the said liber- 
ties shall be responsible in point of rating at the Colony's dis- 
posal." — Plym. Col. Records. 

November 23, 1670. A committee was chosen to meet the 
Treasurer of Taunton to settle the bounds between the North 
Purchase, and Taunton North Purchase. The committee were 
Ensign Smith, William Sabin, and WilUam Carpenter. 

"January 9, 1670-1. At a town meeting lawfully warned, 
it was voted and agreed, that Capt. Hudson of Boston, and 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 71 

John Fitch (probably of Rehoboth) shall have liberty to build 
a ware-house at the water side, and a wharf; and Mr. Paine, 
senior, and Ensign Smith were chosen to appoint them the 
place and quantity of ground for the ware-house. — John Dog- 
get also had the like liberty granted him." 

May 12, 1671. "It was voted and agreed upon by the 
town, that, wdiereas Mr. Newman's maintenance hath not reach- 
ed unto what hath been engaged unto him by the towne, that 
there shall be a trial made by contribution every Sabbath day, 
to see whether it may amount to his comfortable maintenance ; 
and that the next Sabbath day there be a trial made, and all 
persons whom it concerns do bring in, the first Sabbath, for the 
time that is past from the first of March last." 

November 7, 1671. " It was voted that a fence be built to 
the minister's house, and weather-boards put upon the house for 
the preservation of it ; and the townsmen were chosen to see it 
effected, and also they were empowered to make a rate for the 
payment of it." 

May 16, 1692. "It was agreed and voted that the towns- 
men are to draw up such particulars as may be necessary for the 
general good of the town, as instructions for the deputies to 
manage at the Court." 

February 6, 1673. "It was voted and agreed that the 
townsmen and Anthony Page should treat with our Reverend 
Pastor, Mr. Noah Newman, respecting the house and lot that he 
lives in." 

May 14, 1673. John Woodcock, Thomas Willmarth, Josiah 
Palmer, Thomas Reade, and John Ormsby, were propounded 
to the freemen at the town meeting, to take up their freedom, 
and approved of. 

May 20, 1673. "At a town meeting lawfully warned, it was 
voted and agreed upon, that the house that our Reverend Pas- 
tor now lives in, and the lot that the house stands upon shall be 
his forever, in consideration and in lieu of the four-score pounds 
that was engaged at Mr. Newman's death ; and that the former 
act of the town, concerning the four-score pounds, shall be in- 
valid when the town give our Reverend Pastor assurance of the 
aforesaid house and lot." 

November 13, 1674. " It was voted and agreed upon, that 
to every hundred pounds estate rate, such persons shall carry 
in to our Reverend pastor half a cord of wood for his winter 
fire." 



72 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

" It was also agreed upon, that a due proportion be made upon 
the polls, for the raising of fifty pounds for our Reverend Pas- 
tor for the present year." 

"It was also agreed upon that a new meeting-house should be 
built, and the townsmen were chosen to take into consideration 
the business of it, and what is material to the furthering of it ; 
and to bring in their apprehensions the next town-meeting. 



Indian War. 

In 1 675 commenced the bloody and destructive Indian war, 
known by the name of " Philip'' s Wary Of the miseries of 
tbis war, Rehoboth, from its proximity to Mount Hope, the res- 
idence of Philip, or Pometacom,* the prime mover of the war, 
was destined to suffer its full share. The first blood was spilled 
within the original jurisdiction of Rehoboth ; and the last of 
Philip's generals, the stern and intrepid old warrior and coun- 
sellor, Annawon, was captured within the present limits of the 
same town. During this war, which lasted nearly two years, 
the inhabitants of Rehoboth were kept in almost constant 
alarm ; a number of them were, at different times, slain; and the 
whole town, the garrison-houses excepted, was at one time laid 
in ashes. This town was also the scene of Pierce's Fight, one 
of the most disastrous battles to the English that occurred during 
the whole war. The events of this war, so far as connected with 
Rehoboth, as they occupy a prominent place in the hardships, 
dangers, and sufferings of the early settlers of the town, will be 
minutely detailed ; and all for this purpose will be brought to 
our aid which history or tradition can supply. 

During the life of the " good old Massassoit " the relations 
between the English and the Indians of Pokanoket were pacific, 
and their intercourse was usually amicable and friendly. His 
death occurring, as is believed, in the winter of 1661-2, he was 
succeeded by his eldest son Alexander ; and he dying the same 
year with his father, Philip, alias Pometacom, the second son of 
the benevolent old sachem, became, by the order of succession 
chief of the Wampanoags. Things for a while wore a pacific 

* His Indian name has usually been written Me.tacom ; but this appears to 
have been an abridgement of his real name, Pometacom. See Drake's Book of 
the Indians, b. 3, c. 2, p. 13. 3d edit. Boston, 1834. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 73 

aspect, though it is evident, that, from his accession, Philip 
cherished feelings of jealousy and hostility towards his English 
neighbours ; and that, sensible of their growing power, and the 
rapid decrease of the Indians, and seeing the inevitable fate that 
awaited him and his people, should the English be left to spread 
themselves thus unmolested, he determined to make one des- 
perate effort to free himself and his country by a war of utter 
extermination. The better to effect this, and disguise his in- 
tentions, he amused the English by professions of friendship and 
submission ; renewed the treaties which his father had made ; 
disposed of his lands, and gave quit-claims of those before sold 
by his father and brother, to raise the means for supplying his 
men with fire-arms and ammunition ; cultivated the friendship 
of the neighbouring tribes of Indians, smothering the feuds and 
reconciling the quarrels of centuries ; and thus, by deluding the 
English, and strengthening himself by increasing his connexions 
and alliances, he was preparing secretly and silently the war 
which was to shake New-England to its centre and deluge the 
land with blood. 

In the spring of 1671, Philip's hostile preparations and move- 
ments began to excite the fears of the frontier towns of Plymouth 
colony. A conference having been obtained with him at Taun- 
ton, he replied to questions respecting his unusual preparations 
for war, that they were intended for defence against the Narra- 
gansetts. But, it having been fully demonstrated before him, 
that he was on better terms with that tribe than he ever had 
been, and that he had planned an attack upon Taunton, See- 
konk, and other places, he was overwhelmed with confusion, and 
confessed the truth of these charges. So greatly was he in- 
timidated, that he signed a submission to the English, and deliv- 
ered to them all the fire-arms which he and his men had with 
them, promising to send all that he had in his possession : this 
promise, w^as, however, only to a small extent complied with. 

After this pacification, nothing occurred for more than three 
years to excite the suspicions of the Enghsh ; yet, during that 
time, Philip, though more cautious and guarded in his move- 
ments, was no less active and successful in maturing his grand 
plan of exterminating the English. He conciliated a peace 
with the Narragansetts ; visited in person the tribes of New-Eng- 
land ; and even travelled as far west as the Mohawks, por- 
traying in vivid colours the encroachments of the whites, and 
10 



74 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

endeavouring to rouse them to make common cause against the 
EngHsh. 

The Narragansetts had engaged to join Phihp, with their 
whole strength, amounting to four thousand warriors. The 
spring of 1676 is said to have been the period agreed upon for 
the general onset. And had not Philip been obliged, by an 
unforeseen occurrence, to commence the war before his pre- 
parations were completed, the overthrow of the colonies, must, 
in all human probability, have been complete. But his plot 
having been prematurely developed, he was forced to commence 
the war under many disadvantages. 

Philip's designs were made known to the English by John 
Sausaman, an Indian whom Philip had employed for some time 
as his private secretary. Sausaman had received from the ven- 
erable Eliot an English education, and had been employed by 
him in teaching school at Natic, a town of "Praying Indians."* 
But in consequence of some misdemeanor, Sausaman left Natic 
and repaired to Philip, at Mount Hope, and was by him em- 
ployed as his private secretary. Sausaman, naturally shrewd 
and plausible, managed to gain the confidence of Philip and 
make himself master of his most secret plans. By the solicita- 
tions of his former instructor, Mr. Eliot, he was induced to re- 
turn to his christian friends, and once more to submit himself to 
the church, from which, during his residence with Philip, he had 
apostatized. He was received into full communion by the 
church, and appointed a preacher at Natic. While at Natic, 
having occasion to visit Namasket (in Middleborough,) he fell 
in with many of Philip's tribe, and frequently with the chief 
himself. He soon ascertained to his own satisfaction that the 
designs of Philip towards the English were of the most dan- 
gerous character. He secretly communicated his apprehensions 
to the Governour of Plymouth, at the same time expressing 
fears for his own life, should the fact of his having made such 
conmiunications come to the ears of Philip. Many circumstan- 
ces corroborating the truth of Sausaman's story, Philip and 
several of his Indians were examined, who, although nothing 
could be proved against them, " could not," says Hubbard, 
"free themselves from just suspicion." Sausaman was soon 
after murdered on Assawampset pond in Middlebury, and his body 

* An appellation given to those Indians who had embraced Christianity. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 75 

concealed under the ice. The murderers, having, after some 
length of time, been discovered, were executed at Plymouth, 
three in number ; two of whom denied their guilt ; — but one 
confessed, immediately before his deatii, that his father, one of 
the counsellors and immediate friends of Philip, was one of the 
two that murdered Sausaman, and that he himself only looked 
on. Thus suspicions were excited that Philip was the instiga- 
tor of the murder. 

Philip, apprehensive, perhaps, that he might be selected as 
the next victim to justice, and aware, at least, tliat his plot was 
discovered, kept his men constantly armed, mai'ching them from 
place to place and receiving all the strange Indians that he could 
gather from all quarters. 

The Court of Plymouth took no farther notice of this than 
to forbid, on a penalty, the lending of arms to the Indians, and 
to direct a military watch to be established in the towns border- 
ing on Philip's territory, hoping that Philip, finding himself not 
likely to be arraigned on account of the murder, would remit his 
hostile preparations and remain quiet. 

On the 14th of June, at the urgent solicitations of Mr. James 
Brown of Swansey, (bat formerly of Rehoboth,) the Gover- 
nour despatched a letter to Philip filled with amicable professions 
and disclaiming all hostile intentions, but complaining of his 
movements, and advising him to dismiss all the strange Indians 
that had resorted to him, and to give no credit to the sinister 
reports made to him of the English. This letter he answered 
only with threats and menaces of war. Church relates that 
the Indians with Philip, " would fain have killed Mr. Brown," 
who, with Mr. Samuel Gorton and two other men, bore the let- 
ter, " but Philip prevented it ; telling them that his father had 
charged him to show kindness to Mr. Brown."* 

Church was also informed at the same time by Peter, the hus- 
band of Weetamore the " Squaw Sachem of Pocasset," as she 
was termed, that the Indians with Philip were so impatient for 
war, that " Philip was forced to promise them, that, on the next 
Lord's day, when the English were gone to meeting, they should 
rifle their houses, and, from that time forward, kill their 
cattle."* 



Church received this information on June 15th, and hasten- 
ing immediately to Plymouth, communicated it to the Gover- 

* Church's Hist, of Philip's War, ed. by Drake, 1829, page 29. 



76 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

nour eaily ihe next morning, that he might expedite his prepar- 
ations for the defence of the colony. 

Governour Winslow, now convinced that war with Philip 
was unavoidable, ordered the whole force in the vicinity to 
march towards Mount Hope, and despatched messengers to the 
Governour of Massachusetts, informing him of the hostile move- 
ments of the Indians, and soliciting immediate assistance. 

On the Sabbath, June the 20th, Philip, according to promise, 
permitted his men to march out into the neighbourhood of Swan- 
sey, and to annoy the English by killing their cattle ; thus 
hoping to provoke them to commence the attack : for it is said, 
the Indians had a superstitious idea, that the party which began 
first would finally be conquered.* So insolent was the deport- 
ment and language of the Indians, that an Englishman under 
the impulse of anger fired f upon one of them and wounded 
him. J This was the signal to the Indians for commencing open- 
ly the war. 

An anonymous author,'^) who wrote several letters to London 
respecting Philip's war, that were published at the time in the 
form of tracts, although he says nothing of their killing any 
cattle, relates the following circumstances of this hostile visit of 
the Indians. " About the 20th of June last, seven or eight of 
King Philip's men came to Swansey on the Lord's day, and 
would grind a hatchet at an inhabitant's house there ; the master 
told them, it was the Sabbath day, and their God would be 
very angry if he should let them do it. They returned this 
answer, ' They knew not who his God was, and that they 
would do it for all him or his God either.' From thence they 
went to another house, and took away some victuals, but hurt 

* Hutchinson 1.261. 

t Hubbard's Nar. p. 59. The edition of Hubbard to which reference is 
made in tliis history was printed at Boston in 1775. 

t Tradition informs us, that the Indian who was wounded, after kilhng some 
animals in a man's field, went to his house and demanded liquor; and being 
refused, attempted to take it by violence, threatening, at the same time, to be 
revenged for such usage : this caused the Englishman to fire on him. 

§ These tracts are entitled " The present state of JS'tic-England lohh respect to- 
the Indian If'ar," &c. " faithfully composed by a merchant of Boston, and 
communicated to his friend in London." They were published at London in 
1()75 or 167G. A part of them were reprinted at Boston in 1833 by Samuel 
G Drake ; to whose politeness I acknowledge myself indebted for the loan of 
a copy of those not reprinted. I have followed the paging of the London 
edition. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 77 

no man. Immediately they met a man travelling on the road, 
kept him in custody a short time, then dismist him quietly ; giv- 
ing him this caution, that he should not work on his God's day, 
and that he should tell no lies." 

" These things," continues the same writer, " happening with 
many others of the like nature, gave the Rehoboth and Svvan- 
sey men great cause of jealousies ; which occasioned them to 
send to Plymouth and to the Bay (i. e. Boston,) for some 
assistance, in case they should need it. But before any came 
to them, they of both towns were gathered together into three 
houses, men, women, and children, and there had all the provis- 
ions in common, so that they who had nothing wanted not." 

The " Three houses " into which " the inhabitants of both 
towns" (Rehoboth and Swansey,) were gathered, and where 
they rendezvoused during the war, were called garrison-houses. 
They were fortified and continually guarded in time of danger; 
and were sometimes so strong, as to enable a few men to sustain 
a long siege against a large body of savages. The three prin- 
cipal garrison-houses maintained in Rehoboth and Swansey dur- 
ing Philip's war, and which were probably meant by the writer 
List quoted, were, one in Rehoboth North Purchase (now At 
tleborough,) called ''Woodcock's Garrison," another on the south 
end of Seekonk Plain (now Seekonk Common,) and the third 
near Miles's Bridge, in the Northern part of Swansey ; this last 
was called '' Miles's Garrison," from the Rev. John Miles, the 
minister of Swansey, whose house was garrisoned. It stood 
a short distance west of Miles's bridge,* probably near the site 
of the tavern of Mason Barney, Esq.f Woodcock's garrison 
was named from John Woodcock, who built the house and oc- 
cupied it before the war and after it, during his life, for a public 
tavern. The following is the record of the license granted him 
for this purpose by the Court of Plymouth. " July 5th, 1670, 
John Woodcock is allowed by the Court to keep an Ordinary at 
the ten mile river (so called,) which is in the way from Reho- 

*This bridge is over Palmer's river, about 3 miles north of Warren, R. I. 

t In the year 1833, in digging or enlarging a cellar on this spot, a large 
number of cannon balls were dug out of the ground ; which leads me to sup- 
pose, that this was the site of the garrison. It is not mentioned by any histo- 
rian, that cannon were used by the English at Swansey at the time of Philip's 
war. But I know of no other purpose for which these balls could have been 
deposited there. The place where they were found I conjecture to have been 
the spot of Mr Miles's cellar. 



78 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

both to the Bay ; and Hkewise enjoined to keep good order, that 
no unruliness nor ribaldry be permitted there." [Plym. Colony 
Record.] 

This garrison was in Attleborough, near the Baptist Meeting 
House, on the spot where Hatch's tavern now stands. A public 
house has been kept there, without intermission, from July 5, 1670, 
to this time, September, 1835, a period of nearly one hundred 
and sixty Jive years ! It is situated on the Boston and Providence 
turnpike. The old garrison was torn down in 1806, and a large 
and elegant building erected on the spot, 58 feet by 60, three 
stories hieh. The old garrison had stood one hundred and thir- 
ty-six years, when it was pulled down ; yet a great part of the 
timber was said to be perfectly sound, — "pierced however," 
says Dagget, "by many a bullet received in Philip's war." A 
small remnant, one room of the old garrison, may still be seen 
adjoining the wood-house. A relic of it also, it is said, is pre- 
served in the archives of the Mass. Historical Society. For a 
more particular account of Woodcock and his garrison, see His- 
tory of Attleborough, by John Dagget, Esq., 1834. 

The principal garrison-house at Seekonk stood on the south- 
east side of the Common, on the spot occupied by the house of 
Mr. Phanuel Bishop. 

Several other houses were occupied temporarily as garrisons ; 
but the three described were the strongest, and were always 
resorted to in times of the greatest danger. One of these tem- 
porary garrisons stood on the west side of the road between the 
house of Mr. Welcome Allen and the Orleans Factory, about 
fifty rods from the former. Remains of the cellar are still to be 
seen, and also the well, the stoning of which is standing entire. 

Church mentions a Major Brown's* garrison, where a part of 
the Plymouth forces, on their arrival at Swansey, were posted. 
Where this garrison stood it is impossible now to determine ; 
though I have the impression, from the fact that Mr. Brown's 
father owned land very largely at Wannamoiset, which had now 
descended to his son, that it was in the same part of Swansey 
with Miles's garrison. 

*This was James Brown, son of Mr. John Brown, frequently mentioned in 
the early history of Rehobolh, (see year 1662.) He was very active during 
the war; and was one of the Governour's Assistants for the years 16C5 and 
1666, and between 1670 and 1675. — [Morton's Memorial, ed. by Judge Davis, 
pp. 297, 315, 318, 348.] 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 79 

Mr. Baylies, in his " Memoir of Plymouth Colony," [vol. II. 
pt. 3. p. 33,] mentions a garrison at the house of one Bourn, at 
Metapoiset, twelve miles distant from Svvansey. Though in 
this he follows Hubbard [133] yet this distance, — "twelve 
miles," is undoubtedly an error. Hubbard, in another place, calls 
Metapoiset, "a small neck of land in the bottom of Taunton 
Bay, in the midway between iMount Hope and Pocasset neck ;" 
and mentions it as being twelve miles from Rehoboth.* This 
would make the distance between Miles's garrison and Meta- 
poiset six miles; the former being six miles distant from Reho- 
both, and in the direction of the latter. Metapoiset neck is the 
same as is now called Gardner's neck, in Svvansey, which runs 
into Mount Hope Bay, early called Taunton Bay. 

The Court of Plymouth, on learning of the hostile visit of the 
Indians at Swansey, on the Sabbath, June the 20th, besides 
ordering the forces of the colony to march to that quarter, pro- 
claimed a fast in view of the threatened difficukies with the 
Indians, to be observed throughout the colony, on the following 
Thursday, June 24th. The following is an exact copy of this 
proclamation ;f and though little connected with the particular 
history of Rehoboth, yet, as it has never before been published, 
a desire to gratify the curiosity of the reader may, perhaps, be 
received as an apology for inserting it. 

" The Council of this Colony, taking into their serious considera- 
tion the aweful hand of God upon us, in permitting the heathen 
to carry it with insolency and rage against us, appearing in their 
great hostile preparations, and also some outrageous carriages, as 
at other times, so in special, the last Lord's day to some of our 
neighbours at Swansey, to the apparent hazard if not real loss of 
the lives of some already ; do therefore judge it a solemn duty, 
incumbent upon us all, to lay to heart this dispensation of God, 
and do therefore commend it to all tlie churches, ministers, and 
people of this colony to set apart the 24th day of this instant, 
June, which is the 5th day of this week, wherein to humble 
our selves before the Lord for all those sins whereby we have 
provoked our good God sadly to interrupt our peace and com- 
fort, and also humbly to seek his face and favour in the gracious 
continuance of our peace and privileges, and that the Lord 

* Hubbard's Nar. p. 70. 

t This is transcribed from the Cotton MSS. in the Lib. of the Mass. Hist. 
Soc. It is in the handwriting of Mr. John Cotton, but subscribed by Mr. 
Morton. 



80 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

would be entreated to go forth with our forces and bless, suc- 
ceed, and prosper them, delivering them from the hands of his 
and our enemies, subduing the heathen before them, and return- 
ing them all in safety to their families and relations again ; and 
that God would prepare all our hearts humbly to submit to his 
good pleasure concerning us. 

<'By orders of the Court of N. P. 

" Nathaniel Morton, Secretary. 
" Plymouth, June 22, 1675." 



Concerning the day when the first English blood was spilled 
at Swansey, in this war, there seems, among historical writers, 
to be some discrepancy ; and the time of the arrival of the 
Plymouth forces at Swansey is also left in doubt. 

They are thus stated in a " Description of Bridgewater,"* 
publisbed in the Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, vol. VII. p. 156, 
Second series. " At the commencement of hostilities, June 21, 
1675, seventeen of their number," (of the people of Bridge- 
water,) " well armed and furnished with horses, ' the first that 
were on their march in the country,' went to Metapoiset, a 
small settlement about twelve miles from Swansey, ' to streangth- 
en the garrison at that place.' They were met by people from 
Swansey, driven from their habitations, and filled with terror, 
wlio advised and persuaded them to return ; but tbey fearlessly 
pursued their course and accomplished their object. They 
were in 'many perils' while there, but returned safe; after the 
greatest part of the garrison, consisting of seventy persons, most 
of whom were women and children, were safely conducted to 
Rhode Island. Six persons, who were killed at that time, as 
they were, with their teams, conveying their corn into the garri- 
son, were the first that fell in that war." 

In the following quotation from " Baylies' Memoir of Plym- 
outh Colony," [vol. II. pt. 3d, p. 33,] they are stated to have 
been slain on the 22d of June. "The Bridgewater company 
reached Swansey on the twenty-first of June, and were ordered 
by Capt. Bradford to proceed to Metapoiset, which was within 

*This article was furnished by the Hon. Nahuin Mitchell, late of East 
Bridgewater, now Librarian ofthe Mass. Hist. Soc. Boston. His authority for 
this statement, though not cited in the sketch, is, he informed me, in Hub- 
bard's Narrative, p. 133. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 81 

ihe township of Swansey and next Mount Hope, but twelve 
miles distant. The design was to strengthen the garrison at the 
house of one Bourne, where seventy persons were collected, 
sixteen only of whom were men, the remainder women and 
children. On their march they were met by a number of peo- 
ple who had abandoned their houses, and were flying from the 
enemy, filled with terror, ' wringing their hands and bewailing 
their losses.' They urged the Bridgewater force to return, 
and magnified the danger of advancing, but these brave men 
proceeded and reached Metapoiset in safety. A son of Mr. 
Brown, the assistant, went with them as a guide. On the next 
day, a small party, who had been sent out to guard him home, 
on their return fell in with a party of thirty Indians. As their 
orders were positively to act only on the defensive, they quietly 
passed them, and reached the garrison. A party had been sent 
from the garrison with carts to bring in a quantity of corn from a 
deserted house ; the guard who had accompanied Mr. Brown, 
meeting with these carts, informed the drivers that the Indians 
were out, and advised them not to proceed ; but heedless of the 
advice, they went on, and were surprised and attacked. Six 
were killed or mortally wounded. One Jones escaped with a < 
mortal wound, and barely reached his friends to die in their 
arms. The noise of the firing was heard at the garrison, but 
before the soldiers could reach the place, the affair was over. 
On the next week, fifteen of the soldiers were ambushed by 
twenty Indians, but they escaped without loss. They remain- 
ed at the garrison until they were reinforced, and then the house 
was abandoned, and its inmates transported in safety to Rhode 
Island. The gathering storm had now burst upon the devoted 
town of Swansey. The first English blood was shed at Meta- 
poiset."* 

The following is Church's account of this affair. " An ex- 
press came the same day (Sabbath, June 20) to the Gover- 
nour, who immediately gave orders to the captains of the towns, 
to march the greatest part of their companies, and to rendez- 

* Though no authority is given for this statement, yet I believe it agrees main- 
ly with Hubbard's Nar. [p. 132 to 135.] except in the date of the shedding 
of the first blood, which Hubbard makes June 22d. It is to be regretted, 
that, in a work of so much labor and research as the " Memoirs of Plymouth 
Colony," the learned and distinguished autlior should have almost entirely ne- 
glected to give authorities for the historical facts contained in what, had 
authorities been cited to enable us to accompany the author in his researches, 
would have been, to the historical treasures of New-England, an invaluable 
addition . 

11 



82 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

vous at Taunton on Monday night, where Major Bradford was 
to receive them, and dispose them under Captain (now Major) 
Cudworth of Scituate. The Governour desired Mr. Church to 
give them his company, and to use his interest in their behalf, 
with the gentlemen of Rhode-Island. He complied with it and 
they marched the next day : " (this must have been Monday, 
June 21st.) " Major Bradford desired Mr. Church, with a com- 
manded party, to march in front, at some distance from the main 
body. Their orders were to keep so far before as not to be in 
sight of the army. And so they did, for by the way they killed 
a dear, flayed, roasted, and eat the most of him before the army 
came up with them. But the Plymouth forces soon arrived at 
Swansey, and were chiefly posted at Major Brown's and Mr. 
Miles's garrisons, and were there soon joined with those that 
came from Massachusetts, who had entered into a confederacy 
with their Plymouth bretheren against the perfidious heath- 
ens."* 

" The enemy, who began their hostilities with plundering and 
destroying cattle, did not long content themselves with that 
game; they thirsted for English blood, and they soon broached 
► it ; killing two men in the way not far from Miles's garrison, and 
soon after eight moref at Metapoiset :J upon whose bodies they 
exercised more than brutish barbarities, beheading, dismember- 
ing and mangling them in a most inhuman manner, which gashed 
and ghostly objects struck a damp on all beholders." [Church's 
Hist, of Philip's War, pp. 30, 31, 32.] 

In the anonymous letters to London (entitled "The Present 

" * The author seems to be a little before his story concerning the Masachu- 
setts men, for we know they did not arrive till the 28th June, and their arrival 
is related before the first men were killed." — Part of a note appended by 
Drake, the ed. 

t " It was the same day, 24 June, on Thursday, being a fast appointed by 
the Governour of Plymouth, on hearing what took place the 20th. See H. 
Adams's Hist, of New-England, p. 120. — J\''ote by Drake. 

t" In Swansey. "-7A. Church, speaking of the march of the English into 
"the neck," on the 29th of June, says, "They marched until they came to 
the narrow of the neck, at a place called Keekamuit, where they took down 
the heads of eight Englishmen that were killed at the head of Metapoiset 
neck, and set upon poles, after the barbarous manner of those savages." 

A note appended to the word " Keekamuit," in the first edition of" Church's 
History of Philip's War," says that Keekamuit is the "upper part of Bris- 
tol." To this Drake has added another: " Now the upper part of Warren, 
which has been taken from Bristol. It is called on the map of Rhode-Island, 
Kickemuet, or rather the bay, which makes this neck on one side, is so call- 
ed. Warren river makes the other side." 

By " Warren river," is probably meant Palmer's river, near its mouth where 
it widens, forming an arm of Narraganset Bay. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 83 

State of New-England with respect to the Indian War,") once 
before quoted, it is stated, that " the first that was killed was 
June 23d : " a man with his wife and son who had adventured 
to go to his house " to fetch them corn and such like things." 
"They also the next day," continues the same writer, "killed 
six or seven men at Swansey, and two more at one of the garri- 
sons ; and as two men that went out of one of the garrisons to 
draw a bucket of water, were shot and carried away, and after- 
wards found with their fingers and feet cut off, and the skin of 
their heads flayed off." [p. 5.] 

The following account is given by Hubbard of the shedding of 
the first blood in Philip's war:* — "On the 24th of June, 1675, 
was the alarm of war first sounded in Plymouth Colony, when ■ 
eight or nine of the English were slain in and about Swansey ; 
they " (the Indians) " first making a shot at a company of 
English as they returned from the assembly where they were 
met in a way of humiliation on that day, whereby, they killed 
one and wounded others, and then likewise, at the same time, 
they slew two men on the highway, sent to call a surgeon ; 
and the same day barbarously murdered six men in and about a 
dwelling house in another part of the town : all which outrages 
were committed so suddenly, that the English had no time to 
make any resistance." [Hub. Nar. p. 59.] 

" On the morning of June 24th," says Huchinson, " one of 
the inhabitants of Rehoboth was fired upon by a party of In- 
dians, and the hilt of his sword shot off. The same day in the 
afternoon, being a fast, as the Swansey people were coming 
from public worship, the Indians attacked them, killed one and 
wounded another, and killed two men who were going for a sur- 
geon, beset a house in another part of the town, and there mur- 
dered six more." [Vol. I. p. 5.] 

We have now the principal accounts of this event before us. 
Though the length and number of the quotations may possibly 
appear like tedious and useless repetition ; yet they are inserted 
with the hope, that they may gratify the critical reader, and 

* This account is contained in the early part of his narrative; in the latter 
part he recapitulates the sufferings and bravery of the people of Bridgewater, 
from which Messrs. Baylies and Mitchell derive their authority for the state- 
ments contained in the quotations before given. In the one instance Hubbard 
states that the first blood was spilled in Philip's war on the 22d of June ; and 
in the other represents the alarm of war as having been first sounded in 
Plymouth colony on the 24th, two days later. 



84 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

direct the attention of antiquarians and the future writers of this 
part of our history to this point. 

Neither Church, Huhbard nor Huchinson, informs us of the 
time of the arrival of the Plymouth forces at Svvansey, nor 
whether they were there at the tune when the first English 
were killed : which, according to the least questionable authori- 
ties, appears to have been on the twenty fourth of June. From 
Church it appears that the Plymouth forces set out on their 
march, on Monday, June the twenty-first, and were to rendez- 
vous at Taunton, Monday night ; which must have given them 
ample time to have reached Svvansey during the afternoon of the 
next day, the 22d ; and the slaughter did not take place till the 
24th. It is possible that, on their arrival at Taunton they might 
have learned more favourable accounts of Swansey, and there- 
fore concluded to await the approach of the forces from Massa- 
chusetts. For, had the Plymouth troops been at Swansey on 
the 24th, it seems hardly possible, that they could have been so 
remiss in their duty, as not to have protected the inhabitants 
while publicly observing the fast ; and had the people considered 
themselves in great danger, it is little probable that they would 
have left their garrison houses to have gone to the meeting 
house, guarded or not guarded. And, had several been slain 
so near as Metapoiset, before the 24th, the soldiers, having once 
arrived at Swansey, would have been little likely to have re- 
turned so soon ; and still less probable is it, that the inhabitants 
had they considered their situation dangerous, would have ven- 
tured from their garrisons without sufficient protection, so that 
had the soldiers once arrived, they would probably have re- 
mained ; and had the danger been considered sufficient to re- 
quire their presence, the people would not have gone forth un- 
protected. Either way, it appears pretty conclusively that no 
blood was spilled till the 24th ;* and there is reason for suppos- 
ing that the Plymouth forces were not at Swansey at the time of 
the first attack of the Indians upon that town. 

Massachusetts, before this, had determined to raise 100 men 
for the assistance of Plymouth ; but before they marched it was 

*The 24th of June, 1675, seems, by the common consent of historians, to 
be allowed to be the date of the shedding of the first blood in Philip's war ; 
and Hubbard, the only authority for an earlier date, tells us that " on the 24th 
of June, 1675, was the alarm of war first sounded in Plj'mouth Colony, when 
eight or nine English were slain in and about Swansey." [Hubbard's Narra- 
tive, p. 59.] 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 85 

thought best to send messengers to Philip at Mount Hope, to 
divert him, if possible, from his design. But the messengers 
seeing some of the Swansey men lying murdered in the road, did 
not think it safe to go any farther, and returned as fast as they 
could with their intelligence to Boston. On the 26th, a compa- 
ny of foot under Captain Henchman, and a troop under Captain 
Prentice, marched from Boston towards Mount Hope. During 
their march, they observed an eclipse of the moon, and some 
imagined that they discerned a black spot on the face resemb- 
ling the scalp of an Indian ; others fancied that they saw the 
form of an Indian bow. " But after the moon had waded 
through the dark shadow of the earth," says Hubbard, " and 
borrowed her light again, by the help thereof, the two companies 
marched on towards Woodcock's house,* thirty miles from Bos- 
ton, where they arrived next morning ; and there retarded their 
motion till the afternoon, in hope of being overtaken by a com- 
pany of volunteers, under the command of Captain Samuel 
Mosely ; which accordingly came to pass, so as on June 2Sth, 
they all arrived at Swansey, where, by the advice ofCapt. 
Cudw^orth, the Commander-in-chief of Plymouth forces, they 
were removed to the head-quarters, which for that time were 
appointed at Mr. Miles' house, the minister of Swansey, within a 
quarter of a mile of the bridge, leading into Philip's lands. 
They arriving there some little time before night, twelve of the 
troop unwilling to lose time passed over the bridge ,f for discov- 
ery in the enemy's territories, where they found the rude wel- 
come of eight or ten Indians firing upon them out of the bushes, 
killing one William Hammond, wounding one Corporal Belcher, 
his horse being also shot down under him ; the rest of the said 
troops having discharged upon those Indians that run away after 
their first shot, carried off their two dead and wounded compan- 
ions, and so retired to the main guard for that night, pitching in 
a barricado about Mr. Miles's house." 

This skirmish took place June 28th, the same day that the 
troops arrived from Boston. Col. Church was in this skirmish, 
and evinced that firmness and bravery for which he was after- 
wards so distinguished in Philip's war. The next morning, 

* Woodcock's garrison, on the spot where Hatch's tavern now stands in the 
town of Attleborough. 

t This was " Miles's Bridge." Mr. Miles's house (which was garrisoned,) 
stood upon the west side of Palmer's river, a short distance from the bridge ; 
and the skirmish here related, took place on the east side of the river. 



86 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

June 29th, the troops commenced their pursuit of the In- 
dians. Passing over Miles's bridge, and proceeding down 
the east bank of the river till they came to the narrow 
of the neck, at a place called Keekamuit, or Kickemuit, they 
found the heads of eight Englishmen, that the Indians had 
murdered, set upon poles by the side of the way.* These they 
took down and buried. On arriving at Mount Hope the troops 
found that Philip and his Indians had left the place and gone to 
the east side of Taunton river. They erected a fort on Mount 
Hope neck, and leaving in it a garrison of 40 men, the troops 
with Capt. Cudworth, and some of the Plymouth forces, passed 
over to Rhode Island, and the rest under Major Savage, returned 
the next morning to Swansey. The night following (which 
must have been June 30th,) " Captain Prentice's troop," says 
Hubbard, [p. 63, Boston ed. 1775,] for conveniency of quarters, 
as also for discovery, was dismissed to lodge at Seaconke or Re- 
hoboth, a town of within six miles of Swansey. As they return- 
ed back in the morning, Capt. Prentice divided his troop, deliv- 
ering one half to Lieut. Oakes, and keeping the other himself, 
who, as they rode along, espied a company of Indians burning 
an house ; but could not pursue them by reason of several fen- 
ces, that they could not go over till the Indians had escaped, 
into a swamp. Those with Lieut. Oakes had the like discovery, 
but with better success, as to the advantage of the ground, so as 
pursuing of them upon a plain, they slew four or five of them in 
the chase, whereof one was known to be Thebe, a sachem of 
Mount Hope, another of them was a chief counsellor of Phil- 
ip's; yet in this attempt the Lieutenant lost one of his company, 
John Druce by name, who was mortally wounded in his bowels, 
whereof he soon after died, to the great grief of his com- 
panions. After the said troop came up to their head-quarters at 
Swansey, they understood from Capt. Cudworth that the enemy 
were discovered upon Pocasset,f another neck of land lying 
over an arm of the sea, more towards Cape Cod : however it 
was resolved that a more narrow search should be made after 
them, both upon Mount Hope and upon the ground between 
Swansey and Rehoboth to scour the swamps, and assault them 
if they could find where they were entrenched." 

* Church's Hist, of Philip's War, ed. by S. G. Drake, p. 34. 
t " The main land over against the easterly end of Rhode Island, where is 
now Tiverton, ^c. was called Pocasset." [Note to Hubb. Narr.] 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 87 

The troops scoured the country, but found none of the In- 
dians ; and were soon ordered to march into the Narraganset 
country, to treat with the Narragansets, who were strongly sus- 
pected of favouring the interests of Pliihp. 

About the Middle of July, Philip was found encamped in a 
swamp in Pocasset (now Tiverton, R. I.,) and the Massachu- 
setts and Plymouth forces marched immediately to attack him. 
But he retired far into the swamp, where the English found it so 
difficult and dangerous to approach him, that they abandoned 
their plan of direct and open attack, and resolved to subdue 
him by starvation. But, suspecting their designs, Philip, much 
to the surprise of the English, who now looked upon him as 
already within their grasp, made good his escape over Taunton 
river, and directed his flight towards the Nipniucks, a tribe of 
Indians living principally in Worcester county. But Philip in 
crossing the great plain of Seekonk was discovered by the peo- 
ple of Rehoboth, who, headed by the Rev. Noah Newman, 
their minister, and accompanied by a small party of Mohegans, 
gave him a close and brisk pursuit, killing tw'elve of his men,* 
W'ithout sustaining any loss on their part. Hubbard, [p. 73] 
says, " The Mohegins with the men of Rehoboth, and some of 
Providence, came upon their rear over night, slew about thirty 
of them, took much plunder from them, without any considera- 
ble loss to the English." Mr. Hubbard makes the following 
mention of Mr. Newman, in relating this transaction : " Mr. 
Newman, the minister of Rehoboth, deserved not a little com- 
mendation for exciting his neighbours and friends to pursue thus 
far after Philip, animating of them by his own example and 
presence." 

Philip having deserted Mount Hope, and gone to the Nip- 
mucks, nothing occurred to Rehoboth farther with the Indians, 
till the spring of the next year, 1676, when we find it the scene 
of one of the bloodiest battles fought in Plymouth Colony dur- 
ing Philip's War. This w^as called " Pierce's Fight," from 
Capt. Michael Pierce, of Scituate, Mass. who commanded the 
English engaged in it, and who, with his band of brave soldiers 
fought and bled, with a valour of which the annals of history, 
ancient or modern, can seldom boast. 

* This number is given by Mr. Baylies as killed by the Rehoboth men. 
[Vol. II. part 3, p. 39.] 



OW HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

The place where this battle was fought is still pointed out. It 
is between the villages of Pawtucket and Valley Falls, nearer 
the latter, at a spot, which, I have been told, was formerly called 
" The Many Holes." It commenced on the east side of the 
river, but the severest part of the action was on the west, imme- 
diately on the bank of the stream. Some have placed the site 
of this battle considerably farther up the river, between the 
bridge, called "Whipple's Bridge" and " Study Hill," the for- 
mer residence of Blackstone. But from this battle having been 
sometimes styled by the older inhabitants " The Battle of the 
Plain" from its having been fought on the border of the great 
" Seekonk Plaine ; " the former spot, tradition being equally 
strong in its favour, seems to possess the highest claims to being 
the battle ground. 

In the spring of 1676, the Indians, dispersing themselves in 
small parties through the country, were committing dreadful rav- 
ages both in Rhode Island and Massachusetts ; and had even 
penetrated as far as Plymouth, and killed a number of the in- 
habitants. On this alarm, Capt. Michael Pierce, of Scituate, 
with a force of sixty-three Englishmen* and twenty friendly 
Indians from Cape Cod, was ordered to pursue the Indians 
towards Rhode Island. He proceeded without any rencoun- 
ter to Seekonk, where he arrived on Saturday the 25th of 
March. Hearing of Indians in the vicinity, he immediately 
went in pursuit of them, and came to a skirmish with them, in 
which he met with no loss, but judged that he had occasioned 
considerable to the enemy. But as his force was small, he 
chose, in order, probably, to avoid the danger of surprise in the 
night, as well as to procure a recruit of men, to retire to the 
garrison at Seekonk. The next morning, being joined by sev- 
eral of Seekonk, who acted as guides, he again went out in 
pursuit of the enemy. A minute and apparently accurate ac- 
count of this battle is found in the " Continued Account of the 

* This account differs somewhat from that given by Church and Hubbard, 
who state the number of Enghshmen in Pierce's company to have been fifty. 
I have before me several accounts of this battle ; but the most minute, and the 
one on which I have most relied in this description is styled a " Continued 
Account of the Bloody Indian War, from March till August, 1G7G, printed at 
London, Octai)er, 1076," now in the possession of Samuel G. Drake, Boston. 
This pamphlet is part of a series of letters from a merchant in Boston to his 
friend in London, which were published from time to time as they were re- 
ceived. They contain a minute detail of many of the principal events of the 
Indian War. 



HISTORY OF KEHOBOTH. 89 

Bloody Indian War" (leferred to in the last note,) which I shall 
not do better than present to the reader; that he may have not 
only the events of olden time, but the garb which they wore. 
" Sunday the 26th of March," says the author refened tOj 
" was sadly remarkable to us for the tidings of a very deplorab'e 
disaster, brought unto Boston about 5 o'clock that afternoon by 
a post from Dedham, viz : That Capt. Pierce, of Scrtuate in 
Plymouth colony, having intelligence in his ,2;arrison at Sca- 
conickt', that a party of the enemy lay near Mr. B/ackstone^s, 
went forth with 63 English and 20 of the Cape Indians, (who 
had all along continued faithful, and joyned with them ; ) and, 
upon their march, discovered rambling in an obscure woody 
place 4 or 5 Indians, who, in getting away from us, h-.dted as if 
they had been lame or wounded. But our men had pursued 
ihem but a little way into the woods, before they found them to 
be only decoys to draw them into their ambuscade. For, on a 
sudden, they discovered about 500 Indians, who, in very good 
order, furiously attacked them, being as readily received by 
ours; so that the fight began to be very fierce and dubious, and 
our men had made the enemy begin to retreat, but so slowly, 
that it scarce deserved that name; when a fesh company of 
about 400 Indians came in, so that the English and their few 
Indian friends were quite surrounded and beset on every side. 
Yet they made a brave resistance for above two hours, during all 
which time they did great execution upon the enemy, whom 
they kept at a distance, and themselves in order. For Captain 
Pierce cast his 63 English and 20 Indians into a ring, and fought 
back to back, and were double-double distance all in one ring, 
whilst the Indians were as thick as they could stand thirty deep : 
overpowered with whose numbers, the said captain, and 55 of 
his English, and 10 ol" their Indian friends were slain upon the 
place ; which, in such a cause, and upon such disadvantages, 
may certainly be styled the bed of honour. However, they 
sold their vvorihy lives at a gallant rate; it being affirmed by 
those few that (not without wonderful difficulty and many 
wounds) made their escape, that the Indians lost as many fight- 
ing men (not counting women and children) in this engage- 
ment, as were killed at the battle in the swamp near Narragan- 
set, mentioned in our last letter, which were generally compu- 
ted to be abr)ve three hundred." — [P'lge 5 and 6.] 

The number of the hostile Indians slain in this battle, is prob- 
ably estimated too high. Hubbard, and all the other authori- 
12 



90 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

ties I have examined, state it at one liundred and forty. Hub- 
bard [p. 121] also relates, that Capt. Pierce pursued the slowly 
retreating enemy over the river ; and that, finding himself sur- 
passed by numbers, he withdrew to the side of the river, the 
better to prevent being surrounded ; but that the Indians, hav- 
ing a large disposable force, sent a body over the river to attack 
him in the rear. He farther relates, that, perceiving the danger 
he was in, Capt. Pierce despatched a messenger to Providence 
for aid, but that "the message w'as not delivered to them to 
whom it was immediately sent ; by accident only some of Re- 
hoboth understanding of the danger, after the evening exercise 
(it being on the Lord's day, March 26, 1676) repaired to the 
place, but then it was too late to bring help, unless it were to be 
spectators of the dead carcases of their friends, and to perform 
the last office of love to them." There is a tradition in See- 
konk, that Capt. Pierce sent a written message to Providence, 
before setting out on his march from the garrison, by a man who 
attended meeting in that town ; and that the messenger, not ar- 
riving till after the commencement of public worship, delayed, 
either through ignorance of the importance of the message, or 
some other unaccountable cause, to deliver the letter till the 
close of the morning service. The captain* to whom the letter 
was directed, is said, on the receipt of it, to have chided tiie 
messenger severely, and to have declared it too late to render 
any assistance, as the fate of Capt. Pierce and his men must 
have been decided before that time. 

Capt. Pierce is said to have fallen earlier than many others ; 
and it is due to the honour of one of his friendly Indians, called 
Amos, that he continued to stand by his commander and fight, 
until affairs had become utterly desperate ; and that then he 
escaped by blackening his face with powder, as he saw the 
enemy had done, and so passing through their army unobserved. 

Hubbard, Mather, and others, relate also interesting anecdotes 
of two or three other of Capt. Pierce's friendly Indians, who 
escaped by equally cunning artifices and presence of mind. 
One being closely pursued by a hostile Indian, sought shelter 
behind a large rock. Thus the two were watching, in awful 
suspense, to shoot each otl.er. But Capt. Pierce's Indian, put- 
ting his cap ( n the end of his gun, raised it to the view of his 
enemy, who immediately fired at the cap, and the next moment 

*Capt. Andrew Edwards. This tradition is mentioned by Backus, Hist, of 
the liaplists, vol. I. chap. 7. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. ^ 91 

was shot dead by the friendly Indian. Another, in his flight, 
pretended to pursue an Enghshman with an upUfted tomahawk, 
holding it in threatening attitude above his head, and thus 
escaped. A third, being closely pursued, took shelter behind 
th'e roots of a large tree that had been lately turned out of the 
ground ; and the hostile Indian, coming up upon the opposite 
side, was lying in wait to shoot him on his deserting his station ; 
when the friendly Indian, boring a hole through his broad shield, 
unobserved by the other, shot him dead. 

It has been generally stated by historians, that have mentioned 
Pierce's Fight, that every Englishman engaged in it was killed ; 
but, besides the testimony already quoted from the letters to 
London, we are fortunately furnished with, probably, the most 
accurate and authentic account of the losses, that is extant. 
This is a letter from the Rev. Noah Newman, the second min- 
ister of Rehoboth, dated the day after the battle, to the Rev. 
John Cotton, of Plymouth.* 

of the first 
" Rehoboth, 27 A '76.1 

" Reverend and dear Sir. 

" I received yours dated the 20th of this instant wherein you 
gave me a doleful relation of what had happened with you, and 
what a distressing Sabbath you had passed. I have now, ac- 
cording to the words of your own letter, an opportunity to re- 
taliate your account with a relation of what yesterday happened 
to the great saddening of our hearts, filling us with an aweful 
expectation of what further evils it may be antecedaneous to, 
both respecting ourselves and you. Upon the 25th of this 
instant, Capt. Pierce went forth with a small party of his men 
and Indians with him, and upon discovering the enemy, fought 
him, without damage to himself, and judged that he had consid- 
erably damnified them. Yet he, being of no great force, chose 
rather to retreat and go out the next morning with a recruit of 
men ; And accordingly he did, taking pilots from us, that were 
acquainted with the ground. But it pleased the Sovereign God 
so to order it, that they were enclosed with a great multitude 
of the enemy, which hath slain fifty-two of our Englishmen, and 

* The original copy of this letter is in the possession of the American An- 
tiquarian Society at Worcester, Mass. 

1 1 have followed the original as nearly as possible in the date, as well as the 
rest of the letter. 



92 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

eleven Indians. The account of their names is as follows. 
From Scituate 18, of whom 15 were slain, viz : Capt. Pierce, 
Samuel Russell, Benjamin Chittenden, John Lothrope, Gershom 
Dodson, Samuel Pratt, Thomas Savary, Joseph Wade, William 
Wilcome, Jeremiah Barstow, John EnsiL^n, Joseph Cowen, 
Joseph Perry, John Rdwse [Rose], Marshfield, 9 slain: 
Thomas Little, John Eams, Joseph White, John Burrows, 

Joseph Philips, Samuel Bump, John Low, More , John 

Brance. Duxbury, 4 slain : John Sprague, Benjamin Soal, 
Thomas Himt, Joshua Fobes. Sandwich, 5 slain: Benjamin 
]\ye, Daniel Bessey, Caleb Blake, Job Gibbs, Stephen Wing. 

Barnstable, 6 slain : Lieut. Fuller, John Lewis, Eleazer C , 

[probably Clnpp], Samuel Linnet, Samuel Childs, Samuel 
Bereman. Yarmouth, 5 slain : JuhiMattheivs, John Gage, Wil- 
liam Gage, Henry Gage, Henry Gold. Eastham, 4 slain: 

Joseph Nessefield, John Walker, John M , [torn off], John 

Fiiz, Jr., John Miller, Jr.* Thomas Man is just returned with a 
sore wound. 

"Thus sir, you have a sad account of the continuance of 
God's displeasure against us : yet still 1 desire steadfastly to look 
unto him, who is not only able but willing to save all such as are 
fit for his salvation. It is a day of the wicked's tryumph, 
but the sure word of God tells us his tryumphing is brief. O 
that we may not lengthen it out by our sins. The Lord help 
us to joyne issue in our prayers, instantly and earnestly, for the 
healing and helping of our Land. Our Extremity is God's 
opportunity. 

" Thus with our dearest respects to you and Mrs. Cotton, and 
such sorrowful friends as are with you, 1 remain 

" Your ever assured friend, 

Noah Newman." 

Note in the lower margin, probably in the handwriting of Mr. 
Cotton. 

" From Mr. Newman, March 27, 1676. Newman, Shove, 
Walley, Maj. Bradford, Capt. Oliver, Keith, Fr. Mather, 
Math. Mather, Sister Mather, Seaborn, Cotton, Walker, Moody, 
Mrs. Newman. Read." 



* John Fits, Jr. and John Miller, Jr. belonged to Rehoboth, and also Thomas 
Man. What is torn off had on it, probably, the name of one from Eastham, 
and the word Rehoboth. It will be seen that besides what is torn off, there are 
five names that follow Eastham. 



HISTORY OF EEHOBOTH. 93 

It has been stated by several writers, that the celebrated 
Narraganset chief, Canonchet, was present, and commanded the 
Indians in this battle.* But if the testimony of Hubbard, who 
is generally considered as standard authority, be correct, this is 
a mistake, and Canonchet did not arrive in tlie neiglibourhood of 
Pierce's Fight till several days after it occurred. For Hubbard 
[p. 127] in a paragraph, bearing date "the first week in April, 
1676," mentions Canonchet as setting out, " with but thirty 
men (the rest declining it) to fetch seed-corn from Seaconk, the 
next town to Mount Hope, leaving a body of men, not fewer 
than fifteen hundred, to follow him, or meet him about Seaconk 
the week after." On tlie succeeding page, the same author, 
speaking of the capture of Canonchet, Avhich occurred the first 
week in April, says that at the time of his surprisal by the Eng- 
lish, he was "diverting himself with the recital of Capt. 
Pierce's slaughter, surprised by his men a few days before." 
There is some discrepancy in these two statements ; for, from 
the former, it would seem that neither Canonchet nor his men 
left the region of the Connecticut till the first week in April; 
but as this date is placed at the beginning of the paragraph in 
which the capture of that chief is related, it may he designed 
to fix rather the date of that event, than the time when he left 
the Connecticut : this, from the loose manner in which Hubbard 
frequently throws in his dates, is perhaps, the more probable. 
From the latter quotation, we have good ground for supposing 
that, though Canonchet might have been in the vicinity, yet he 
was not present at the battle; for it seems that he "was divert- 
ing himself with a recital of Capt, Pierce's slaughter, surprised 
by his men a few days before." Had he witnessed the battle, 
he would hardly have needed " a recital" of it ; or had he com- 
manded, the historian would not probably have used the ex- 
pression " surprised by his men." 

Mr. Drake, in his " Book of the Indians," [b. iii. c. 3, p. 
42—3] says that Canonchet "came down from the country upon 
the Connecticut river early in March," and states also that he 
commanded at Pierce's Fight. The renowned accuracy of Mr. 
Drake, as an antiquarian, almost precludes the idea of question- 
ing his authority : that he had sufficient for the assertion is 
hardly to be doubted, though he has not referred us to the 

* Deane's Hist, of Scituate, p. 121-2. Daggett's Hist, of Attleborough, p. 
49. Drake's Book of the Indians, b. iii. c. 3, p. 43, 3d ed. Boston, 1834. 



94 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

source whence he derived it. These authorities are cited, and 
these statements quoted to direct the attention of those more 
skilled in antiquarian lore, to this point. 

Nine Men's Mjsery. This name is given to a spot in 
Cumberland, R. I., where nine men were slain by the Indians, on 
the same day with Pierce's Figbt. Tbis place is in what is call- 
ed "Camp Swamp,"* about half a mile from the house of the 
late Elisha Waterman, Esq. There are two or three traditions 
respecting this event ; one of which is thus stated by Daggett, 
[Hist, of Attleborough. p. 52-3.] " A company of nine men 
were in advance of, or had strayed from, tiieir parly for some pur- 
pose, when tbey discovered a number of Indians near this spot, 
whom they immediately pursued and attacked, but a large 
number of the enemy rushed out of the swamp and surrounded 
them. The whiles, placing their backs to a large rock near by, 
fought with desperation till every one of them was killed on 
the spot. The rest of their party, who were in hearing of their 
guns, hastened to their succour, but arrived too late to render 
them any assistance. Their bodies were buried on the spot, 
which is now designated by a large pile of stones." Another 
tradition says, that these nine men were part of a company tbat 
marched from Providence to aid Capt. Pierce, in compliance 
with a message sent by him to that town, at the commencement 
of the engagement ; but that they did not reach tlie spot till 
after the battle ; and that these nine, being in advance of the 
rest of the company, were surprised and slain by the Indians in 
the manner above related. The third tradition respecting this 
event, and the one which seems the most probable, and the best 
supported by circumsiances, is, that these nine men were a rem- 
nant of Pierce's brave band, who were taken prisoners by the 
Indians, and reserved for torture. They were carried to a 
sort of peninsula of upland, nearly surrounded by " Camp 
Swamp," and seated upon a rock in a kind of natural amphithe- 
atre, formed by the elevated ground around it. The savages 
commenced the war-dance around them, and were preparing to 
torture them ; but, disagreeing about the manner of torture, 
they fell into a quarrel among themselves, in which some of the 
Indians despatched the prisoners with the tomahawk. This 
story is said to have been related to the English by an Indian 

* This swamp is said to have derived its name from the Indians having fre- 
quently made it a place of retreat during Philip's war. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 95 

who was soon after this taken prisoner. The Indians, having 
scalped them, left their bodies upon the rock where they had 
slain them, and here they remained unburied till they were dis- 
covered by the English some weeks afler. They were then 
buried, all in one grave, on the higher ground, fifteen or twenty 
rods from the rock on which they were slain, A heap of small 
stones, in the shape of the earth on a newly made grave, still 
marks the spot where they lie. Around where they fell, and 
where they are buried, there is a forest of considerable extent. 

Daggett is the only writer who has related this occurrence at 
" Nine Men's Misery." He was unable to fix the date, but 
says, " there is some reason for believing that it was at or about 
the time of Pierce's Fight." 1 have been able to assure myself, 
on good grounds, that this date is correct. A part of these 
bones, about the time of the American Revolution, were disin- 
terred by some physicians from Providence. One of the men 
was ascertained to be a Bucklin of Rehoboth, from his very 
large frame, and from a set of double teeth all around. In the 
town record of deaths and burials, the names of four individuals 
are recorded, as "slain on the 26th of March, 1676," viz : John 
Reed, Jr. John Fitch, Jr. Benjamin Buckland, and John Mil- 
ler, Jr. Between the first two of these nanses and the last two 
are inserted the names of seven other persons, bearing a later 
date; which leads me to infer that John Read, Jr. and John 
Fitch, Jr. were found with the main body of the slain of Pierce's 
army, and that Benjamin Buckland and John Miller, Jr. were 
found among the nine, at " Nine Men's Misery," and interred 
at a later period than the other two. 

March the 28th, 1676, two days after Pierce's Fight, a party 
of the Indians, crossing the river, laid the town in ashes, burn- 
ing forty houses and thirty barns.* These houses were around 
the " Ring of the Town," now called " Seekonk Common." 
Only two houses were left standing, — the garrison-house, which 
stood on the spot where the house of Phanuel Bishop now 
stands, and another house on the south end of the common, 
which was preserved by black sticks having been arranged 
around it so as to give it, at a distance, the appearance of being 
strongly guarded. The houses were set on fire, as tradition in- 
forms us, early in the evening, and when the sun arose the next 
morning, it beheld only a line of smoking ruins. 

* Hubbard's Narrative, p. 125. 



96 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

The town records give the name of only one person slain 
by the Indians at this lime: "Robert Beers slain y" 28 March, 
1676." He was an Irishman, and a brick-maker by trade. It 
is said that he was a I'eligious, but eccentric and superstitious, 
man ; and, that on the approach of the Indians, he refused to 
go into the garrison-house, but sat down in his own house with 
liis bible in his hand, believing that while he continued reading 
it, nothing could harm him. He was shot througii tlie window, 
and fell with his bible in his hand. 

The following mention of the burning of the town by the 
Indians, on the 2Sth of March, is made in a letter, written, at 
that time, by the Council of war at Plymouth, to Governour Lev- 
erett, of JNIassachnsetts Colony. Tiie copy, found among the 
Winslow papers, has no dale, but fiom the contents it is inferred 
that it was written on the 31st of March, 1676 :* "Another 
messenger, with sad tidings, at the heals of the other, from Re- 
hoboth ; that town in flames, 28 instant, soon after daylight, the 
enemy having fetch't away sundry cattle the day before and 
lay all night in their hearing, burnt 60 houses and barns, ap- 
peared very numerous, and continued lurking thereabout after 
it." 

The following anecdote is related of a chair, now in the pos- 
session of Capt. Caleb Abell of Seekonk, which has been in 
the possession of that family since the burning of the town 
by the Indians, and is dignified with the appellation of " King 
Philip's Chair " The Indians set fire to the house of Preser- 
ved Abell, where Capt. Caleb Abell, one of his descendants, 
now resides, about dark, and seated themselves around the fire to 
enjoy the conflagration; and one of the Indians brought out of 
the house this chair, which is a large, heavy armed chair, for the 
chief (which is said to have been Philip,) to sit in. On leaving 
this house and adjourning to another, an Indian threw a fire- 
brand into the chair, winch consumed the bottom, but left the 
huge frame, with only scorching the parts to which the bottom 
was attached. These parts bear evident marks of fire, having 
been burned in, in some places, nearly half an inch. It is said 
that, while he was on good terms uitli the English, Philip was 
in the habit of fiequently visiting this family; and that this chair, 
which was the "big i.rmed chair of the house," was always 
brought forth, as a mark of distinction, for his seat. This is all 

*See Morton's Memorial, ed. by Judge Davis, p. 438, Appendix. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 97 

tradition, but it is currently believed, and the existence of the 
chair and its appearance, give it title to credence. 

The next event of importance, with regard to the Indians, 
which is connected with the history of this town, is the capture 
of the haughty and warlike sachem of the Narragansetts, 
Canonchet, alias Nanuntenoo. He was the chief sachem of 
the Narrai;ansetts, and son of IVIiantonnomoh, and, according 
to Hubbard, was " heir to all his father's pride and insolency, as 
well as of his malice against the English." During '"the first 
week in April, 1676,"* he left the legion of the Connecticut, 
with only thirty men, " the rest declining it, to fetch seed-corn 
from Seaconk, the next town to Mount Hope, leaving a body of 
men, not fewer than fifteen hundred, to follow him, or meet h'm 
about Seaconk the week after." From this statement, it would 
seem that both Canonchet anJ his men were on the Connecticut 
river till the first week in April ; but we know that Capt. Pierce 
was "surprised by his men" (i. e. Canonchet's), on the 26ih of 
]March preceding. From a remark in the letter, mentioned on 
the preceding page, contained in tlie Appendix of Morton's Me- 
morial, b}' Davis, it appears that Philip, instead of Canonchet, 
marched with some hundreds into the vicinity of Seekonk or 
thereabouts, at the date of Pierce's Fight : " There seems 
reason to judge, that the body of the enemy is thereabouts, by 
the number of them seen about Narragansett, and the cer- 
tain intelligence given by some of our soldiers, (that escaped 
from the slaughter made on Capt. Pierce and his men) of tlieir 
hearing the noise and crying of women and children, a good 
space distant from the fight, and the intelligence of one of ours, 
from Rhode Island, on Tuesday last, that Governour Andrewsf 
advised the Governour there by letter, that by English and In- 
dian information, he understood, Philip, with some hundreds, 
were gone down to those parts, and, as he supposed, might be 
thereabout, by that time his advice might come thither." This 
letter was probably written on the 31st of March, which was 
Friday; and the " Tuesday," mentioned, was the 2Sth. This 
is evident from Pierce's Fight having occurred on the 26th, 
which was the Sabbath. If the assertion, quoted from the let- 
ter of the Plymouth Council of war, be correct, there is much 

"Hubbard, p. 127. From Hubbard, I have derived most of what is here 
related of Canonchet. 

t Sir Edmund Andros, then Governour of New York. 

13 



98 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

reason for supposing, that, if any distinguished chief was pres- 
ent at Pierce's Fight, it was more probably Philip than Canon- 
chet,and that Canonchet did not leave Connecticut till the first 
week in April, as stated by Hubbard. 

April 9th,* 1676, Canonchet was found on the Pawtucket, 
or Blacksione river, not far from the village of Pawtucket; but 
whether in the town of Pawtucket or Cumberland, I am unable 
to determine, though the spot where Blacksione resided, in 
Cumberland, seems to me to answer best the description of the 
spot where he is said to have been surprised. The following 
is the principal part of Hubbard's account of his capture. 
" Capt. George Dennison, of Stonington, and Captain Avery, 
of New-London, having raised forty-seven English, the most 
part volunteers, with eighty Indians, twenty of which were Nar- 
raganseits belonging to Ninigret, commanded by one Catapazet ; 
the rest Pequods, under Casasinamon, and Mohegins under 
Oneco, son to Uncas, being now abroad upon their third expe- 
dition, which lliey began March 27, 1676, and ended on the 
10th of April following. They met with a stout Indian of the 
enemy's whom they presently slew, and two old squaws, that 
confessed Nanuntenoo, alias Canonchet, was not far off; which 
welcome news put new life into the wearied soldiers, that had 
travelled hard many days, and met with no booty till now ; 
especially when it was confirmed by intelligence the same in- 
stant, brought in by their scouts, that they met with new tracks, 
which brought them in view of some wigwams, not far from 
Pautuket, by some called Blackstone's river, in one of which 
the said sachem was at that moment diverting himself with the 
recital of Capt. Pierce's slaughter, surprised by his men a few 
days before. But the alarm of the English, at that time heard 
by himself, put by that discouse, appalled by the suddenness 
thereof, as if he had been informed by secret item from heaven, 
that now his own turn was come. So, as having but seven men 
about him, he sent two of them to the top of the hill,f to see 
what the matter was ; but they, affrighted with the near ap- 

* Manuscript letter of the Rev. John Cotton, of Plymouth, dated " Plimouth, 
April 17, lG7ti," found in the Lit), of the Mass. Hist. Soc. Boston. This let- 
ter will be given entire at the close of this sketch of the capture of Canon- 
chet. 

t This "hill," lam constrained to think, was the " study hill " of Black- 
stone, and the " fair champaigna " over which the English were advancing, 
" Blackstone's meadow," as there is no other place near, that answers so well 
the description. See description of study hill, page 6. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 99 

preach of the Enghsh, at that time with great speed mounting 
over a fair champagna on the other side of the hill, ran by, as if 
they wanted time to tell what tliey saw. Presently he sent a 
third, who did the like ; then sending two more on the same 
errand, one of these last, endued with more courage, or a better 
sense of his duty, informed him in great haste that all the Eng- 
lish army was upon him. Whereupon, having no time to con- 
sult, and but little to attempt an escape, and no means to defend 
himself, he began to dodge with his pursuers, running round the 
hill on the contrary side. But as he was running so hastily by, 
Catapazat, with twenty of his followers, and a few of the English, 
lightest of foot, guessed by the swiftness of his motion, that lie 
fled as if an enemy, which made them immediately take the 
chace after hinn, as for their lives. He that was the swifter 
pursuer, put him so hard to it, that he cast off first his blanket, 
then his silver laced coat (given him at Boston, as a pledge of 
their friendship, upon the renewal of his league in October 
before) and belt of peag, which made Catapazat conclude it 
was the right bird, which made them pursue as eagerly as the 
other fled : so as they forced him to take to the water, through 
which, as he over hastily plunged, his foot slipping upon a stone, 
it made him fall into the water so deep, as it wet his gun ; upon 
which accident, he confessed soon after, that his heart and his 
bowels turned within him, so as he became as a rotten stick, void 
of strength ; insomuch as one Monopoide, a Pequod, swiftest of 
foot, laid hold of him within thirty rod of the river side, with- 
out his making any resistance, though he was a very proper 
man, of goodly stature, and great courage of mind, as well as 
strength of body. One of the first English that came up with 
him, was Robert Stanton, a young man that scarce had reached 
the twenty-second year of his age, yet adventuring to ask him 
a question or two, to whom this manly sachem, looking with a 
little neglect upon his youthful face, replied in broken English, 
" You much child, no understand matters of luar ; let your 
brother or your chief come, him I will answer ;" and was as 
good as his word ; acting herein, as if, by a Pythagorean me- 
tempsychosis, some old Roman ghost had possessed the body of 
this western pagan ; and, like Attilius Regulus, he would not 
accept of his own life, when it was tendered him, upon that (in 
his account) low condition of compliance with the English, re- 
fusing to send an old counsellor of his to make any motion that 
way, saying he knew the Indians would not yield ; but more 



100 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

probably he was not willing they should, choosing rather to sac- 
rifice his own, and his people's lives to his private humour of 
revenge, than timely to provide for his own, and their safe- 
ty, by entertaining the counsels of a peace, so necessary for the 
general good of all." [Hubbard, pp. 1-27, 128, 12!).] 

He ^^-as'-jif^^fwards carried;to . Stoeiiilgton, Ct. When up- 
braided Willi his Breach of faith to the English, and with having 
said that " he ivouldnot deliver up a Wampanoag, or the paring 
of a fVampanoag-^s nail,'^ and "that he would burn the Eng- 
lish alive in their houses," he replied that "others were as for- 
ward for the war as himself, and that he desired to hear no more 
thereof." When told, his sentence was to die, he said " he 
liked it well, that he should die before his heart teas soft, or he 
hatl spuken any thing unworthy of himself." He was shot at 
Stonington, under the eye of Denison, and the friendly Indians 
were his executioners. 

The author of the anonymous " Letters to London," cited 
at page 76, says, speaking of the capture of Canonchet, that 
" Myantonomy's carriage was strangely proud and lofty after he 
was taken; being examined why he did foment that war which 
would certainly be the destruction of him and all the heathen 
Indifins in the country, &-c. He would make no other reply to 
any interrogatories, but this ; that he was born a prince, and if 
princes came to speak with him he would answer ; but none 
present being such, he thought himself obliged, in honour, to 
hold his tongue, and not hold discourse with snch persons below 
his birth and quality. He told them he wished rather to die 
than to continue under confinement ; that all he desired was not 
to be tormented, but presently put to death, which he requested 
might be done by young Uncas that aided us, as acknowledging 
him his fellow prince ; yet withal threatened, he had 2000 men 
would revenge his death severely. Wherefore our forces, fear- 
ing an escape, put the stoutest men to the sword, but preserved 
JVlyantonomy till they returned to Stonington ; where our Indian 
friends and most of the English soldiers, declaring to the com- 
manders their fear, that the English should upon condition re- 
lease him, and that then he would (though the English might 
have peace with him) be very pernicious to those Indians that 
now assisted us. The said Indians, (on these considerations 
and the mischief and murthers he hath done during this war,) 
permitted to put him to death ; and that all might share in the 
glory of destroying so great a prince, and come under the obli- 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 101 

gation of fidelity, each to other, the Pequods shot him, the Mo- 
he^Miis cut off' his head and quartered liis body, and the INinni- 
croCts men made the fire and burned liis quaiters ; and, as a 
token of love and fidelity to the Englisb, presented hi^ head to 
the council at Hartford." \p. 9.] 

The following letier, written by Mr. Cotton of Plymouth, 
eight days after the capture of Canoncliet, in which mention is 
made of that event, and also of the slaughter of Capt. Pierce, 
and the sufferings of the town by the Indians, deseives to be 
inserted here; and, as it has never before been published, I shall 
give it entire, though some paragraphs have no connexion with 
the history of the town. 

"Plimouth, April 19, 1G76. 
''Worthy Sir : 

With refference to the transactions of the last weeke I am 
exceedingly afflicted to think, that wee should so reele and stag- 
ger in our counsels as drunken men, and that soe pretious a peo- 
ple as Rehoboth should be soe forsaken by us, for our own self- 
ish interests. If I were in your study alone, I would tell you 
how much blemish some have gotten for being so backward 
to maintaine a garrison at Rehoboth. This morning the Gov'r 
(being much encouraged by Capt. Bradford and the treasurer 
thereunto,) hath sent 2 men post to Rehoboth, to signify that if 
they will come off", an army from us shall guard them ; but if 
they will stay, and Judge it necessary for their safety, they shall 
have from us 40 or 50 men to keepe garrison with them, etc. 
And truly sir, if your souiherne men shall faile in this, it will 
be just matter of reproach to them : however, it is resolved 
helpe shall be sent them, if they accept it. Good news in letters 
from Stonington to Boston. On Lord's day, Apr. 0, some 
Connecticut forces, Capt. George Denison being chiefe, tooke 
and killed 4'2 Indians, of which Quanonshet was one, who was 
taken in that coat he received at Boston. His head is sent to 
Hartford, his body is burnt; then also was killed one hostage 
that run from Hartford, and some chief counsellors ; also 38 
sachems and 3 Capts. were taken and killed neere Patuxet 
[Pawtucket]. There was also a fight Apr. 2, by those forces 
with the IVarragansets ; the issue of that I have not a particular 
account of. Apr. 12, one woman and 2 children were killed at 
Wooburne. At Boston the votes for nominations of mao-istrates, 
for divers old ones run very low. Capt. Gookins hath 446, 



102 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

which is but 5 more than Major Ravage hath, who is the last in 
the nomination of the IS: Mr. Dudley hath 651. An Indian 
at Boston, who was improved as a messenger to the enemy, 
being returned, affirms that Capt. Pierce and his killed scores 
of the Indians that Sabbath day. I must now conclude this 
letter, having sundry things to transcribe for you, wdiich just 
now I rec'd from Boston. Our church hath set apart this fol- 
lowing Wednesday for Humiliation and pr. I am much straitned 
for time, but my respect to you obliges me to transcribe the en- 
closed. 

" I rest, he. he. 

"John Cotton." 

The " enclosed " were various particulars relative to the war. 
The original of this letter is in the library of the Mass. Hist. 
Society. 

The next notice of the Indians, relative to Rehoboth, found in 
history, is, that " in the road to Rehoboth, [in their march fi-om 
WrenthamJ, they assaulted one Woodcock's house, killed one 
man, and one of his sons, wounded another, and burned his 
son's house."* The following particulars of this event are 
given by Daggett in his History of Attleborough [p. 47J : his 
authority for these facts, he states, is mostly tradition. 

" His sons [i. e. Woodcock's] were at work in a corn-field 
near the house. The Indians, concealed in a woodf adjoining 
the field, approached to its borders and fired upon them. The 
workmen fled to the garrison, leaving the dead body on the 
field. The Indians to gratify their spite against the family, cut 
off the son's head, stuck it on a long pole, which they set up on 
a hill at some distance in front of the house and in full view of 
the family, to aggravate their feelings as much as possible. 
From this time Woodcock swore never to make peace with the 
Indians. He ever after hunted them like wild beasts. He was 
a man of resolute and determined character ; and tradition says, 
that not a few fell victims to his vengeance, and a sacrifice to the 
manes of his murdered son. 

"This attack was in May. J The body of his son, (whose 
name was Nathaniel) was buried on the spot where he fell, 

* Hubbard's Narrative, p. 146. For a description of Woodcock's garrison, 
see pa^e 77. 

t " Now the meadow on the east of the turnpike, below the bridge." — JVote. 

i" Nath. Woodcock slain in May, 1676." — Rchobot/i Record of Deaths and 
Burials. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 103 

nearly in the centre of the yard, which has ever since been re- 
served for a burying ground." 

Nehemiah Sabin,* of this town, was slain by the Indians, in 
June: the day on which this slaughter occurred, and the cir- 
cumstances attending it, I have not been able to learn. 

Tlie two following incidents, relating to the Indians, which 
are said to have occurred at one of the garrison-houses, dur- 
ing the Indian war, are so distinctly marked by tradition as to 
be worthy of preservation. They occurred at the garrison- 
house, which stood near the house of Mr. Welcome Allen, be- 
tween that and the Orleans Factory. In what part of the In- 
dian war they took place is not certain. 

A woman, engaged in " turning cheese," in the upper story of 
the garrison house, had slipped the boards, which formed the 
windows-shutter, for the purpose of admitting the light ; and, 
while in the act of turning a cheese, and as she held it raised 
edgewise in her hands, an Indian who was lurking near the 
house, and observed the boards at the window removed, fired a 
ball at the window, which passed through the middle of the 
cheese without injuring the woman or any one in the house. 

At another time, when the Indians w-ere known to be prowl- 
ing in the vicinity of the garrison-house, and had prevented the 
cows from returning at evening, with the design of drawing the 
men from the garrison in search of them; one of the men at the 
garrison, taking a loaded musket, and going out at the door (it 
being dark), ordered a candle to be set at one of the port holes ; 
and as the person who placed it there retreated hastily, an In- 
dian who. was lurking near, observing the light, fired at it, and 
shot so near that the wind of the ball extinguished the blaze. 
The man who was watching with the loaded musket at the door, 
fired at the flash of the Indian's gun, and wounded him, the 
ball grazing the whole length of his back as he was leaning 
forward. The Indian, wounded, raised a loud cry, and he and 
his companions fled with great precipitation. 

"About the end of June," says Hubbard, [p. 169] "news 
was brought to Boston that Philip, with a small party of his 
men lurked about Swanzey or Rehoboth, and that he might 
easily be taken ; an Indian offering to bring them to the place 
where they might find him ; whereupon soldiers were instantly 
sent away from Boston, who spent some time in searching all 

*" Nehemiah Sabin slain and buried in June, 1G76." — Rehoboth Record of 
deaths and burials. 



104 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

the woods on that side of the country, but at last were forced to 
return, liaving missed what they aimed at. Plymouth colony 
likewise sent out soldiers upon the same account, under Major 
Bradford, who by tlje help of some Indians of Cape Cod, 
always true to the English interest, not only escaped an ambush 
laid for them, whereby most of tliem might have been cut off, 
but slew many of those that laid in wait for them, without any 
loss to themselves." 

The Indian war in this quarter was now fast drawing to a 
close. Philip, the prime mover of the war, was slain on Satur- 
day morning, August 12, 1676, at Mount Hope; and Anna- 
wan, the last and bravest of his generals, was taken captive, on 
Monday evening of the 28th, in Rehobotb. The rock where 
he was taken is still known to all the country round by the name 
of ^^ Ami a Ivan's I'ock." This rock lies in the south-easterly 
part of Rehobotb, near the confines of Dighton, a Cew rods 
soutl) of the new iurn|)ike from Taunton to Providence, about 
eight miles from the former, and ten miles from the latter, place. 
It is on the nonhern bolder of a great swamp, called Squanna- 
konk, by which it is rendered inaccessible except on the north- 
ern side. This side can be seen from the turnpike, and is easily 
ascended, sloping gradually away from its summit to its base, at 
an angle of about 35'-'. The whole rock extends north-east and 
south-west 70 or 80 feet, and its height is 25 or 30 feet. It is 
composed of sand and pebbles. A part of its south-east side 
projects a liiile over its base, while, on the north-east, it seems 
at no very distant period, to have tumbled down in large clefts. 
Near its south-east extremity is an opening of an angular form, 
resembling the corner of a room, witli sides nearly perpendicular: 
in this it is said Annawon and his men had encamped. In one 
of the perpendicular sides of this opening is an excavation or 
fissure, narrow at the bottom, and widening gradually upwards, 
and commencing so near the ground as to make a very conve- 
nient seat. This is called "Annawan's chair;" for it is said 
that in this Annawan used to sit. Within the large angular open- 
ing or corner, some years since, stood a large tree, covered for 
several feet from the ground with the names of many who had 
visited the rock, and whose passion for immortality liad prompt- 
ed them "to give in trust their names" to this revei'end senti- 
nel of the place. But the "September gale" of 1815, pros- 
trated this ancient chronicler of the rock, and an uprooted stump 
now marks the place where it stood. It is probable that this 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 105 

tree grew since the days of Annawan, as it occupied a large 
share of the angle. Small bushes still grow frcni the seams on the 
top and in the steep side of the rock, as in the days of Church. 
Till lately a thin scattering wood grew around it ; and near to 
tlie east and south, was a tliick forest, wliicii seenied to make it, 
even then, a fitting abode for savages. But these have within a 
year or two all yielded to " the woodman's axe," and the 
retreat of Annawan now looks lonely and desolate. It is fre- 
quently visited by the curious and the gay ; and the rock where 
the rude Indian once trod is now often pressed by the soft foot of 
the American fair. The nearest inhabitant to this rock is Dea- 
con Asahel Bliss. 

Annawan was of the tribe of the Wampanoags, and had been 
greatly distinguished as a warrior and counsellor under Mas- 
sassoit, and was " Philip's great captain" in the present war. 
He is first mentioned in the annals of Philip's war, by Church, 
in describing the skirmish in which Philip was slain : " One of 
the enemy, who seemed to be a great surly old fellow, hallowed 
with a loud voice, and often called out, " lootash ! lootash ! " 
Captain Church called to his Indian, Peter, and asked him who 
that was that called so ? He answered, that it was old Anna- 
wan, Philip's great ca|)tain, cahing on his soldiers to stand to it, 
and fight stoutly." The best authority for the circumstances of 
the capture of Annawan is found in the account written under 
the direction of the old warrior,* to whose valour the glory of 
the achievement belongs. 

"Captain Church," says the narrative, "had been but a little 
while at Plimouth, [after the death of Philip,] before a post 
from Rehoboth came to inform the Governour, that old Anna- 
wan, Philip's chief captain, was with his company ranging about 
their woods, and was very offensive and pernicious to Rehoboth 
and Swanzey. Captain Church was immediately sent for 
again, and treated with to engage in one expedition more. He 
told them their encouragement was so poor, he feared his 

*Col. Benjnmin Church was born at Duxbury, (Mass.) in 1030, and died 
Jan. 17, 1717, in the 7f^th year of his age, at Little Compton. R. I. He mar- 
ried Miss Ahce Southvvoith, and had hve sons and a daughter. His daring 
and intrepidity can scarce find an equal in our annals. He was particularly 
distiniruished in Philip's war, and was afterwards sent on an expedition against 
the eastern Indians. [Church's Hist, of Philip's war.] "William Church, 
Esq. of Providence, R. Land Church Gray, Esq. of Seekonk, are lineal de- 
scendants of this hero; the former by the father's, and the latter by the moth- 
er's side. 

14 



106 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

soldiers would be dull about going again. But being a hearty 
friend to the cause, he ralhed again, goes to Mr. Jabez Howland, 
his old lieutenant, and some of his soldiers that used to go out 
with him, told them how the case was circumstanced, and that 
he had intelligence of old Annawan's wallv and hannl,and want- 
ed hands to hunt him. They did not want much entreating, but 
told him they would 2:0 with him as long as there was one Indian 
left in the woods. He moved and ranged through the woods to 
Pocasset. 

" It being the latter end of the week, he proposed to go on to 
Rhode Island, and rest until Monday; but on the Lord's day 
morning,* there came a post to inform the captain, that early the 
same niorning, a canoe, with several Indians in it passed from 
Prudence Island f to Poppasquash J neck. Captain Church 
thought if he could possibly surprise them, he might probably 
gain some intelligence of more game ; therefore he made all 
passible speed after them. The ferry-boat being out of the 
way, he made use of canoes. But by that time they had made 
two freights, and had got over about fifteen or sixteen of his In- 
dians, the wind sprung up with such violence that canoes could no 
more pass. The captain seeing it was impossible for any more 
of his soldiers to come to him, he told his Indians, if they were 
willing to go with him, he would go to Poppasquash, and see if 
they could catch some of the enemy Indians. They were will- 
ing to go, but were sorry they had no English soldiers. <§> So 
they marched through the thickets that they might not be dis- 
covered, until they came unto the s;dt meadow, to the northward 
of Bristol town, that now is, then they heard a gun ; the captain 
looked about, not knowing but it might be some of his own com- 
pany in the rear. So halting till they all came up, he found it 
was none of his company that fired. 

" Now, though he had but a few men, he was minded to send 
some of them out on a scout. He moved it to Captain Light- 
foot to go with three more on a scout ; he said he was willing, 
provided the captain's man, Nathaniel, (which was an Indian 

•August 27th. 

tAn island in Nnrraganset Bay, to the southwest of Warren and Bristol, 
about six miles in lenopth. 

I A long nnrrow neck or peninsula, extending into the Narraganset Bay, on 
the west of Bristol, and between Bristol and Warren. 

§They had one or more Englishmen in their company, as will be presently 
seen. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 107 

they bad lately taken,) might be one of them, because he was 
well acquainted with the neck, and coming lately from among 
them, knew how to call them. 

"The captain bid him choose his three companions, and go ; 
and if they came across any of the enemy, not to kill if they 
could possibly be taken alive, that they might gain intelligence 
concerning Annawan. The captain with the rest of his compa- 
ny moved but a little way further toward Poppnsquash, before 
they heard another gun, which seemed to be the same way with 
the other, but farther off; but they made no halt until they came 
unto the narrow of Poppasquash neck ; where Ca|)tain Church 
left three men more to watch, if any should come out of the 
neck, and to inform the scout, when they returned, which way 
he was gone. 

" He posted the remainder of his company, half on one side 
of the neck, and the other with himself went on the other side, 
until they met ; and meeting with neither Indians nor canoes, 
returned big with expectations of tidings by their scout. But 
when they came back to the three men at the narrow of the 
neck, they told their captain the scout was not returned, and had 
heard nor seen any thing of them ; this filled them with thoughts 
of what should become of them. By that time they had sat 
and waited an hour longer, it was very dark, and they despair- 
ed of their returning to them. 

" Some of the Indians told their captain, they feared his new 
man, Nathaniel, had met with his old Mount Hope friends, and 
was turned rogue. They concluded to make no fires that night, 
(and indeed they had no great need of any,) for they had no 
victuals to cook, — not so much as a morsel of bread with them. 

" They took up their lodgings scattering, that if possibly 
their scout should come in the night, and whistle, (which was 
their sign) some or other of them might hear them. They had 
a very solitary, hungry night ; and as soon as the day broke,* 
they drew off through the brush to a hill without the neck. 
And looking about them, they espied one Indian man come run- 
ning somewhat towards them. The captain ordered one man 
to step out and show himself. Upon this the Indian ran right to 
him; and who should it be but Captain Lightfoot, to their great 
joy. Captain Church asked him what news? He answered, 
" Good news ; " they were all well, and had catched ten In- 

* Monday, August 28th. 



108 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

dians ; and that they guarded them all night in one of the flank- 
ers of the old English garrison ; * that their prisoners were a 
part of Annawan's company, and that they had left iheir lamiliesin 
a swamp above Metapoiset neck,t and as they were marchmg to- 
wards tlie old garrison, Lighifoot gave Captain Cliurch a partic- 
ular account of their exploit, viz : that presently after they left 
him, they heard another gun, which seemed towards the Indian 
burying place; and moving that way, they discovered two of 
the enemy flaying of a horse. The scout clapping into the bi ush, 
Nathaniel bid them sit down, and he would presently call all 
the Indians thereabout him. They hid, and he went a little dis- 
tance back from them, and set up his note and howled like a wolf. 
One of the two immediately left his horse, and came running 
to see who was there ; but Nathaniel, howling lower and lower, 
drew him in between those that lay in wait for him, who seized 
him. Nathaniel continuing the same note, the other left the 
horse also, following his niate, and met with the same. When 
they caught these two, they examined them apart, and found 
them to agree in their story ; that there were eight more of them 
come down into the neck to get provisions, and had agreed to 
meet at the burying place that evening. These two being some 
of Nathaniel's old acquaintance, he had great influence upon 
them, and with his enticing story, (telling what a brave captain 
he had, how bravely he lived since he had been with him, and 
how much they might better their condition by turning to him, 
&.C.) persuaded and engaged them to be on his side; which, 
indeed, now began to be the belter side of the hedge. They 
waited but a little w^iile before they espied the rest of theirs 
coming up to the burying place ; and Nathaniel soon howled 
them in, as he had done their mates before. 

" When Captain Church came to the garrison, he met his 
lieutenant,! and the rest of his company. And then making up 
good fires tliey fell to roasting their horse beef, enough to last 
them a whole day, but had not a morsel of bread, but though 
salt they had, (which they always carried in their pockets, vs-hich 
at this time was very acceptable to them). 

* This fort was built in June, 1675, by the Boston and Plymouth troops, who 
were sent to the defence of Swansey, on the first breaking out of the war. 
1 111 Swansey. 

i Mr. Jabez Rowland. From this it appears that Church had at least one 
Englishman with him in this expedition, and we shall presently see that he 
had another. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 109 

" Their next motion was towards the place where the prison- 
ers told them they had left their women and children, and sur- 
prised tliem all, and some otiiers that were newly come to them. 
And upon examination they held to one story, that it was hard 
tr) tell where to find Annawan, for he never roosted twice in a 
place, 

'' Now a certain Indian soldier, that Captain Church had 
gained over to be on his side, prayed that he might have liberty 
to go and fetch his father, who, he said, was about four miles 
from that iilace, in a swamp, with no other than a young squaw. 
Captain Church inclined to go with him, thinking it might be in 
his way to gain some intelligence of Annawan ; and so taking 
one Eno-lishman and a few Indians with him, leaving the rest 
there, he went with his new soldier to look after his father. 

" When he came to the swamp, he bid the Indian go to see if 
he could find his father. He was no sooner gone, but Church 
discovered a track coming down out of the woods ; upon which 
he and his little company lay close, some on one side of the 
track, and some on the other. Tliey heard the Indian soldier 
making a howling for his father, and at length somebody answer- 
ed him ; but while they were listening, they thought they heard 
somebody coming towards them : presently they saw an old man 
coming up with a gun on his shoulder, and a young woman fol- 
lowing, in the track which they lay by. They let them come 
up between them, and then started up and laid hold of them 
both. Captain Church immediately examined them apart, tell- 
ing them what they must trust to, if they told false stories. He 
asked the young woman, what company they came from last? 
She said, " From Captain Annawan's." He asked her how 
many there were in company with him when she left him ? She 
said, " Fifty or sixty." He asked her, how many miles it was 
to the place where she left him ? She said, she did not under- 
stand miles, but that he was up in Squannaconk swamp.* 

"The old man, who had been one of Philip's council, upon 
examination, gave exactly the same account. Captain Church 
asked him if they could get there that night ? He said if they 

* This is a large swamp in the south-easterly part of Rehoboth. It is on a 
small piece of upland, nearly enclosed by this swamp that "Annawan's rock " 
is situated. Mr. Drake in his " Book of the Indians " [book iii. c 3, p. 48.] 
has estimated this swamp to contain "nearly 3000 acres." There are two 
other swamps near this, one on the north, the other on the south, or south-west, 
neither being far separated from it, which taken with this, may make nearly 
the estimate ; but " Squannaconk alone does not contain more than a third of 
that space. 



110 HISTOKr OF REHOBOTH. 

went presently, and travelled stoutly, they might get there by 
sunset. He asked whither he was going ? He answered, that 
Annawan had sent him down to look for some Indians, that 
were gone down into Mount Hope neck, to kill provisions. 
Captain Church let him know that these Indians were all his 
prisoners. 

" By this time came the Indian soldier and brought his father 
and one Indian more. The captain was now in a great strait of 
mind what to do next; he had a mind to give Annawan a visit, 
now he knew where to find him. But his company w^as very 
small, but half a dozen men beside himself, and was under a 
necessity to send somebody back to acquaint his lieutenant and 
company with his proceedings. However, he asked his small 
company that were with him, whether tliey would willingly go 
with him and give Annawan a visit.'' They told him, they were 
always ready to obey his commands, &Lc.but withal told him, that 
they knew this Captain Annawan was a great soldier ; that he 
had been a valiant captain under Asuhmequin,* Philip's father; 
and that he had been Philip's chieftain all this war. A very 
subtle man, of great resolution, and had often said, tliat he 
would never be taken alive by the English. And moreover 
they knew that the men that were with him were resolute fel- 
lows, some of Philip's chief soldiers; and therefore feared 
whether it was practicable to make an attempt upon him with 
so small a handful of assailants as were now with him. Told 
him farther, that it would be a pity, that, after all the great 
things he had done, he should throw away his life at last. Upon 
which he replied, that he doubted not Annawan was a subtle 
and valiant man ; that he had a long time, but in vain, sought 
for him, and never till now could find his quarters, and he was 
very loath to miss of the opportunity ; and doubted not but that 
if they would cheerfully go with him, the same Almighty prov- 
idence that had hitherto protected and befriended them, would 
do so still, &c. 

" Upon, this with one consent they said, they would go. 
Capt. Church then turned to one Cook, of Plymouth, (the only 
Englishman then with him,) and asked him what he thought of 

*Hisname has been variously written, as Asuhmequin, Ossamequin or Osa- 
moquin, Oosamequen, Osamekin, Owsamcqnin, Ousainequine, Ussamequen, 
Wasamegin, &c. But the name by which he is most commonly known in liis- 
tory, is Massassoit, or Massasoit. For an account of the life of this " good 
old chief," see Drake s Book of the Indians. 



HISTORY OF KEHOBOTH. Ill 

it ? He replied, " Sir, I am never afraid of going any where when 
you are witli me." Then Capt. Church asked the old Indian, 
if he could carry his horse with him ? (For he conveyed a horse 
thus far with him.) He replied that it was impossible for a horse 
to pass the swamps. Therefore he sent away his new Indian 
soldier with his father, and the captain's horse, to his lieutenant, 
and orders for him to move to Taunton with the prisoners, to 
secure them there, and to come out in the Rehoboth road, in 
which he might expect to meet him, if he were alive and had 
success. 

" The captain then asked the old fellow if he would pilot him 
unto Annawan ? He answered, that he having given him his life, 
he was obliged to serve him. He bid him move on, and they 
followed. The old man would out-travel them so far sometimes, 
that they were almost out of sight ; looking over his shoulder, 
and seeing them behind, he would halt. 

"Just as the sun was setting, the old man made a full stop 
and sat down ; the company coming up also sat down, being all 
weary. Captain Church asked, "What news?" He answered, 
that about that time in the evening, Captain Annawan sent out 
his scouts to see if the coast were clear, and as soon as it began 
to grow daik, the scouts returned ; and then (said he) " we may 
move securely." When it began to grow dark, the old man 
stood up again, and Captain Church asked him if he would take 
a gun and fight for him ? He bowed very low, and prayed him 
not to impose such a thing upon him, as to fight against Captain 
Annawan, his old friend. But says he, "I will go along with 
you, and be helphil to you, and will lay hands on any man that 
shall offer to hurt you." 

It being now pretty dark, they moved close together; anon 
they heard a noise. Tlie captain stayed the old man with his 
hand, and asked his own men, what noise they thought it might 
be? Tliey concluded it to be the pounding of a mortar. The 
old man had given Captain Church a description of the place 
where Annawan now lay, and of the difficulty of getting at 
him. Being sensible that they were pretty near them, with 
two of his Indians he creeps to the edge of the rocks, from 
whence he could see their camps. He saw three companies of 
Indians at a little distance from each other, being easy to be dis- 
covered by the light of their fires. He saw also the great 
Annawan and his company, who had formed his camp or ken- 
neling place, by falling a tree under the side of the great clifFs 



112 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

of rocks, and setting a row of birch bushes up against it ; where 
he himself, his son, and some of his chiefs had taken up lodg- 
ings, and made great fires without them, and had their pots and 
ketiles boiling, and spits roasting. Their arms also he discov- 
ered, all set together, in a place fitted for the purpose, standing 
up on end against a slick lodged in two crotches, and a mat 
placed over them, to keep them from the wet or dew. The 
old Annawan's feet and his son's head were so near the arms as 
almost to touch them. 

" The rocks were so steep that it was impossible to get down, 
but as they lowered themselves by the boughs and the bushes 
that grew in the cracks of the rocks. Captain Church, creep- 
ing back again to the old man, asked him, if there were no pos- 
sibility of getting at them some other way ? He answered, 
" No." That he and all that belonged to Annawan were or- 
dered to come that way, and none coidd come any other way, 
without difficulty or danger of being shot. 

"Captain Church then ordered the old man and his dnughter 
to go down foi'emost with their baskets at their backs, that when 
Annawan saw them with their baskets, he should not mistrust 
the intrigue. Captain Church and his handful of soldiers crept 
down also, under the shadow of those two and their baskets. 
The captain himself crept close behind the old man, with his 
hatchet in his hand, and stepped over tlie young man's head to 
the arms. The young Annawan, discovering of him, whipped 
his blanket over his head and shrunk up in a heap. The old 
Captain Annawan started up, and cried out " Howoh."* And 
despairing of escape, threw himself back again, and lay silent 
until Captain Church had secured all the arms, &.c. And hav- 
ing secured that company, he sent his Indian soldiers to the 
other fires and companies, giving them instructions what to do 
and say. Accordingly they went into the midst of them. 
When they discovered themselves, who they were, they told them 
that their Captain Annawan was taken, and it would be best for 
them, quietly and peaceably to surrender themselves, which 
would procure good quarter for them ; otlierwise, if they should 
pretend tg resist or make their escape, it would be in vain, and 
they could expect no other but that Captain Church, with his 

* This wnrri signified icehoine. Amonor the tribes of the west the same word 
is now used to signify approbation. Tims when a speech is made which 
pleases them, at the end of each paragraph they exclaim, " Hoah ! Hoah ! " 
Weld's Travels in America. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 113 

great army, who had now entrapped them, would cut them to 
pieces. Told them also, if they would submit themselves, and 
deliver up all their arms unto them, and keep every man in his 
place until it was day, they would assure them that their captain 
Church, who had been so kind to themselves when they surren- 
dered to him, should be as kind to them. Now they being old 
acquaintance, and many of them relations, did much the readier 
give heed to what they said ; complied and surrendered up their 
arms unto them, both their guns and hatchets, &;c., and were 
forthwith carried to Captain Church. 

" Things being so far settled. Captain Church asked Anna- 
wan, 'what he had for supper? for,' said he, 'I am come 
to sup with you.' ' Taubut,'' * said Annawan, with a big 
voice, and looking about upon his women, bid them hasten and 
get Captain Church and his company some supper. He then 
turned to Captain Church, and asked him whether he would 
eat cow beef or horse beef ? The captain told him, cow beef 
would be the most acceptable. It was soon got ready, and pull- 
ing his little bag of salt out of his pocket, which was all the pro- 
vision he had brought with him, this seasoned his cow beef. So 
that witii it and the dried corn, which the old squaw was pound- 
ing in the mortar, while they were sliding down the rocks, he 
made a very hearty supper. And this pounding in the mortar 
proved lucky for Captain Church's getting down the rocks ; for 
when the old squaw pounded, they moved, and when she 
ceased, to turn the corn, they ceased creeping. The noise of 
the mortar prevented the enemy's hearing their creeping ; and 
the corn being now dressed supplied the want of bread, and gave 
a fine relish with the cow beef. 

" Supper being over. Captain Church sent two of his men to 
inform the other companies that he had killed Philip, and taken 
their friends in Mount Hope neck, but had spared their lives, 
and that he had subdued now all the enemy, (he supposed) 
except this company of Annawan ; and now if they would be 
orderly and keep their places until morning, they should have 
good quarter, and that he would carry them to Taunton, where 
they might see their friends again, &;c. 

" The messengers returned that the Indians yielded to his 
proposals. 

** This word Hubbard [p. 185] has interpreted to mean, "tJiank you." 

15 



114 HISTOKY OF REHOBOTH, 

' " Captain Church thought it was now time for him to take n 
nap, having had no sleep in two days and one night before. So 
he told his men, that if they would let him sleep two hours, they 
should sleep all the rest of the night. He laid himself down 
and endeavoured to sleep, but all disposition to sleep departed 
from him. 

"After he had lain a little while, he looked up to see how his 
watch managed, but found them all fast asleep. Now Captain 
Church had told Captain Annawan's company, as he had order- 
ed his Indians to tell the others ; that their lives should all be 
spared excepting Captain Annawan's, and it was not in his pow- 
er to promise him his life, but he must carry him to his masters 
at Plymouth, and he would entreat them for his life. 

" Now when Captain Church found not only his own men, 
but all the Indians fast asleep, Anna wan only excepted, who, 
he perceived was broad awake as himself; and so they lay 
looking one upon the other, perhaps an hour. 

"At length Annawan raised himself up, cast off his blanket, 
and with no more clothes than his small breeches, w alked a little 
way back from the company." * * * " By and by he was 
gone out of sight and hearing, and then Captain Church began 
to suspect some ill design in him ; and got all the guns close to 
him, and crowded himself close under young Annawan ; that if 
he should any where get a gun, he should not make a shot at 
him, without endangering his son. Lying very still awhile, 
waiting for the event, at length he heard somebody coming the 
same way that Annawan went. The moon now shining bright, 
he saw him at a distance coming with something in his hands ; 
and coming up to Captain Church, he fell upon his knees before 
him, and offered him what he had brought, and, speaking in 
plain English said, " Great Captain, you have killed Philip and 
conquered bis country ; for I believe that I and my company 
are the last that war against the English, so suppose the war is 
ended by your means ; and therefore these things belong to 
you." Then opening his pack, he pulled out Philip's belt, curi- 
ously wrought with wampum, being nine inches broad, wrought 
with black and white wampum, in various figures, and flowers 
and pictures of many birds and beasts. This, when hanged 
upon Captain Church's shoulders, reached his ancles ; and 
another belt of wampum he presented him with, wrought after 
the former manner, which Philip was wont to put upon his 



HTSTOBY OF REHOBOTH. 115 

head. It had two flags on the back part, which hung down on 
his back, and another small belt whh a star upon tlie end of it, 
which he used to hang on his breast ; and they were all edged 
with red hair which Annawan said he got in the Mohogs 
(Mohawk's] country. Then he pulled out two horns of glazed 
powder, and a red cloth blanket. He told Captain Church 
these were Philip's royalties, which he was wont to adorn him- 
self with, when he sat in state; that he thought himself happy 
that he had an opportunity to present them to Captain Church, 
who had won them, he. They spent the remainder of the 
night in discourse. And Captain Annawan gave an account of 
what mighty success he had formerly in wars against many nations 
of Indians, when he served Asumhequin, Philip's father, &;c. 

^' In the morning, as soon as it was light, the captain marched 
with his prisoners out of that swampy country towards Taunton. 
He met his lieutenant and company about four miles out of town, 
who expressed a great deal of joy to see him again, and said it 
was more than ever they expected. They went into Taunton, 
were civilly and kindly treated by the inhabitants. Here they 
refreshed and rested themselves that night. 

" Early next morning, the captain took old Annawan, and half 
a dozen of his Indian soldiers, and his own man, and went to 
Rhode Island ; sending the rest of his company, and his prison- 
ers, by his lieutenant to Plymouth. Tarrying two or three days 
upon the Island, he then went to Plymouth, and carried his 
wife and his two children with him." 

Thus was the most daring enterprise successfully achieved by 
the prowess of a single man. Annawan, being unable to deny 
but that he had tortured English captives, found no mercy with 
the English ; and in spite of the intercessions of Church, he was 
beheaded. This was done while Church was absent from Ply- 
mouth. Tispaquin, or Tuspaquin, a noble chief of the Narra- 
ganset tribe, whose capture by Church immediately succeeded 
that of Annawan, was beheaded with him. The grief and 
chagrin of Church were great, on finding all his prayers and en- 
treaties for the life of Annawan utterly disregarded, and the 
faith of the government, pledged by him to Tispaquin, that his 
life should be spared, thus shamefully and barbarously trampled 
upon. ''When Captain Church," says his historian, "return- 
ed from Boston, he found to his great grief the heads of Anna- 
wan, Tispaquin, fee. cut off, which were the last of Philip's 
friends." 



116 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

Thus fell "the last of Philip's friends," and the last noble 
chieftains of two once powerful and warlike tribes. Had Rome, 
in the days of her Ctesar, given them birth, and an Italian sun 
smiled on their exploits, history would have proudly chronicled 
their deeds, and poesy hung with fadeless garlands their honour- 
ed urns. 

" Indulge, our native land, indulge the tear 
That steals impassioned o'er a nation's doom ; 
To us each twig from Adam's stock is dear, 
And tears of sorrow deck an [ndian's tomb." 

DwighCs Greenfield HiU. 

After the death of Annawan, but little worthy of note occur- 
red in this quarter relating to the Indians. Nearly all the hostile 
Indians had been either captured or killed, or had submitted 
themselves to the English ; and expeditions against them were 
considered rather as hunting excursions than dangerous enter- 
prises. A few Indians lurking around Rehoboth and Seekonk, 
were all that were heard of in Plymouth colony. 

"Since the beginning of December last " [1676], says Hub- 
bard, " news coming down to Boston that mischief was done 
about Seaconk and Rehoboth, by some remaining Indians there- 
abouts, kilhng their swine and horses ; several persons of Med- 
field went out after them, and pursuing them by their track, 
came upon a small party, of whom they took three, one of 
which escaped while some of the company were going after the 
rest. Those that were taken confessed there was about 60 that 
were lurking up and down in those woods. The said two 
Indians were brought unto Boston the 8th of January. 

"A commission was formerly granted to Peter Ephraim, an 
Indian of Natick, to go out in pursuit of them, with 29 of his 
company; a iew of the English from Medfield went with him, 
who, being soon tired with marching in the snow, returned. 
The Indians kept on in their design, and came across a consid- 
erable party of the enemy, having traced them till they found 
where they lodged overnight. They surrounded them early in 
the morning, as their manner is, and then offered them quarter 
if they would yield ; eight resolute fellows refused, who were 
instantly shot ; the rest were all seized, the whole number was 
42. 'i'his was done about the middle of January, since which 
several such exploits have been done by them." 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



117 



The names of the Rehoboth soldiers who served in Phihp's 
war have been preserved, and are as follows: 



Those who served under IMajor 
Bradford, were, 

Preserved Abell, 
Samuel Perry, 
\ Stephen Paine, Jun. 
\ Samuel Miller, 
Silas T. Alin, 
Samuel Palmer, 
James Redeway, 
Enoch Hunt, 
Samuel Walker, 
Nicholas Ide, 
N^ Noah Mason, 
^^amuel Sabin, 
Thomas Read, 
Israel Read, 
George Robinson, 
Nathaniel Wilmarth. 
The following catalogue gives the names of those who, at one 
period of the war, made advances of money, together with the 
sums they advanced. It shows that many of those, who served 
as private soldiers in the war, also advanced money to sus- 



Those eno;afred in the Narra- 
ganset expedition, were, 

John Fitch, 
Jonathan Wilmarth, 
! Jasiel Perry, 
\ Thomas Kendrick, 
Monathan Sabin, 
John Carpenter, 
John Redeway, 
'\ John Martin, 
\ John Hall, 
xJohn Miller, Jun, 
John Ide, 
Joseph Doggett, 
, Sampson Mason, Jun. 



tain It. 

George Kendrick, 
Jonathan Fuller, 
Jo. Miller, sen. 
Joseph Buckland, 
Wid. Abraham Perem, 
Rice Leonard, 
James Gilson, 
An. Perry, 
George Robinson, 
John Perem, 
William Carpenter, 
John Titus, sen. 
Samuel Carpenter, 
Widow Sabin, 
John Ormsby, 
Josiah Palmer, 
John Butterworth, jun. 
Thomas Read, 
Stephen Paine, jun. 



11 135 


.1(1. 


1 18 


8 


6 5 


4 


6 3 





14 2 





2 


G 


4 18 


2 


14 00 


2 


4 12 


? 


1 13 


10 


8 17 


3 


5 6 


3 


11 19 


5 


1 7 


(3 


2 15 





1 10 


10 


3 11 


5 


8 14 


4 


10 11 


5 



•/ 

Joseph Sabin, 
Gilbert Brooks, 
David Smith, 
James Redeway, sen. 
Preserved Abell, 
William Buckland, 
Benjamin Buckland, 

with the loss of a gun 
Samuel Peck, 
John Fitch, with the 

loss of a gun, 
Thomas Willmarth, s( 
Francis Stephens, 
Joseph Peck, 
David Beers, 
John Savage, 
Richard Martin, 
Thomas Grant, 
Deacon Nathaniel Cooper, 8 



£1 


175 


.0(1. 


3 


14 


10 


4 


17 


5 


5 


14 


4 


7 15 


1 


2 


9 





> 4 


3 10 


9 


2 


8 


13 


6 


4 


6 


12 


3 


1 


10 


6 


2 


10 







17 


8 


2 


6 


8 


1 


5 


4 




9 





, 8 









118 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



Robert Miller, 


£5 


17s 


Gd. 


Samuel Sabin, 


4 14 


2 


Wid. Mason, 


13 


5 


10 


Eldad Kingsley, 


9 


4 


"Wid. Rachael Read, ) 


4 


3 





Wid. Carpenter, 


G 


6 


witii a gun lost, 5 


Daniel Allen, 


14 





John Kingsley, 


2 


4 





Samuel Homes, 


9 





Moses Reade, 


4 


1 


10 


Noah Mason, 


15 





John Reade, sen. 


13 


18 


11 


John Jonson, 


16 


6 


William Sabin, 


15 


5 


8 


Jeremiali Wheaton, 


3 





Nathaniel Paine, 


100 








Obadiah Bowen, 


2 17 


8 


Samuel Reade, 




17 


10 


Nathaniel Foulsom, 


5 


6 


Thomas Willmarth, jun. 




7 


4 


Eben. Amidown, 


1 


6 


John Willmarth, 


1 


2 


4 


John Crossman, 


2 


6 


Joseph Chaffee, 


1 


8 


8 


Benjamin Sabin, 


1 


6 


Samuel Bullock, 




12 


3 


James Redeway, jun. 


5 





John Carpenter, 


1 


18 


6 


William Bland ing. 


7 





John Titus, jun. 


2 


7 


7 


Daniel Smith, 


37 11 


7 


Nathaniel Chaffee. 


3 


16 


f) 


John Feck, 


4 12 


G 


Robert Fuller, 


4 


10 


3 


Deacon Walker, 


26 00 





Richard Bowen, 


4 


4 


8 


John Allen, jun. 


16 


9 


Rebecca Hunt, 


1 


7 


10 


John Dogget, 


11 1 


3i 


John Hall, 




1 


6 


Samuel Newman, 
Total 


4 17 


10 




484 5 


5 



This, with a few extracts from tlje town records, closes the 
history of all the events to be found in the annals of Philip's 
war, relating to Rehoboth. The history of the town from this 
period till near the commencement of the war of the Revolu- 
tion possesses little that is either novel or interesting. A few 
extracts from the town records are nearly all that we are able lo 
give on this period. 

"June 12, 1675. The town being met, being lawfully 
warned, chose the town council and the townsmen to take care 
for the provision of the soldiers that are put to answer the war- 
rant ; and that they shall make a rate for the defraying of the 
charges both for their soldiers clothes and other necessaries, and 
for any charges about the former soldiers." 

"June 16, 1676. The town engaged a surgeon for three 
months, who promised to be helpful to the town and do his 
best endeavour, with the help of God, to cure any of our towne 
that may be wounded by the enemy ; " and the town was to pay 
him " three pounds in money, for to procure instruments, and 
medicines for healing, and also an accommodation of a suitable 
place, and his diet and twenty shillings a month." 

"Februarys, 1676-7. It was agreed upon by the town, 
that the county rate should be made as much as the town hath 
been out of charges relating to the late war, and that the sol- 
diers' wages be put into it.'' 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



119 



''November 13, 1677. It was voted that Lieutenant Hunt 
and Ensign Nicholas Pecke should assist the Deacons to go 
from house to house to make inquiry, what persons have or will 
do, for this present year, for the maintenance of our Reverent 
Pastor ; to see whether it will amount to fifty pounds ; and also 
to take care that it may be effectually paid in season." 

At the same meeting it was voted also, " that Daniel Smith 
should write to the young gentleman at Dorchester, to signify 
to him, that it was the town's desire that he would be pleased 
to come up and teach a school according to those former invita- 
tions that our Reverend Pastor made to him." 

" It was also voted, that an invitation might be given to Mr. 
Man for to be helpful in the work of the ministry for this winter, 
and that the townsmen should take care for to endeavour to 
affect it; and if Mr. Man cannot be obtained, then the towns- 
men shall endeavour to obtain any other suitable person for the 
work of the ministry this season." 

April 12, 1678. " The town manifested their earnest desire 
that Mr. Angier might be treated with by the townsmen, and 
encouraged to tarry with us untill we see how the Lord will deal 
with our Reverend Pastor ; the towm desiring, that, if it might 
be, that some hold may be taken of him with speed, that we might 
not be left destitute : the town manifesting their approbation of 
him and his labors in the work of the ministry." 

The town also voted, that Deacon Walker, John Woodcock, 
Anthony Perry, and Samuel Peck should be added to "the 
committee for finishing the meeting house." 

April 16, 1678,* the Reverend Noah Newman, the second 
minister of Rehoboth, died, having filled the sacred office from 
the year 1668 till the commencement of the illness which ter- 
minated in his death. The little that can now be collected con- 
cerning him has been given in pages 57 and 58 above.f A 
letter written by him to Mr. Cotton of Plymouth, on the day 
after "Pierce's Fight," giving a minute account of those slain in 
that battle, was given at page 91, in the account of the Indian 
war. He is supposed to have been interred in the old burying 

* This date is taken from a silver cup in the possession of the Congrega- 
tional church of Seekonk. The town records give, " Mr. Noah Newsman 
buried April 18, 1678." 

t There is an error on the 58th page w^ith regard to the year of his death, 
which was observed too late to correct in its proper place : his death is there 
placed in 1676. 



120 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

ground near the Congregational rneeting-house in Seekonk, 
though, to mark the spot, 



■ No stone may tell 



His name, his worth, his glory." 

"April 29, 1678. It was voted that Mrs. Newman, the 
relict of our late Reverend Pastor, shall have fifteen pounds for 
this present year, and a sufficiency of wood brought to her gate, 
if she please still to abide with us, and thus to be paid according 
to present subscription." It was also agreed upon that the 
townsmen shall agree with Mrs. Newman in the town's behalf 
for the diet of Mr. Angier." 

" June 20, 1678. The town unanimously agreed that Mr. 
Angier should have forty pounds a year for his encouragement, 
and his diet ; and ten pounds of the forty in money, if God 
incline his heart to settle amongst us in the work of the minis- 
try. And this proposal was made for the present, persons man- 
ifesting themselves to be freely willing for the future to augment 
to the aforesaid sum, according to their ability and Mr. Angier's 
necessity. And the townsmen and Deacon Walker were chosen 
to treat with Mr. Angier about it." 

" Lieut. Hunt and-£nsign Peck were chosen, and desired to 
go down with Mr. Angler, "the next week, and to do as then is 
requisite to be done in order to the settlement of Mr. Angier." 

" It was also agreed, that there should be a six-acre lot, in 
convenient time, laid forth below the burial place, for a build- 
ing of a house for the ministry." 

It appears from the tenor of the records, that Mrs. Newman 
soon remo\ed from Rehoboth. She probably removed to 
Braintree (now Quincy), the place of her nativity.* August 
30, 1678, there is a vote of the town recorded, appointing sev- 
eral persons as a committee, "to treat with any person or persons 
that shall be employed by I\Irs. Newman, concerning her house 
and lands." January 17, 1678-9, also " It was voted, for the 
encouragen^.ent of P»Ir. Samuel Angier to settle amongst us in 
the work of the ministry, if it please the Lord to incline his 
heart thereunto, to purpose unto him to give him forty pounds 
in money, eidier to the purchasing of the house and lot which 
were Mr. Noah Newman's, if it please him to buy it, or towards 
the building of another house and settling himself." 

It was at the same time " voted by the town that Mr. Angier 
shall have the use and improvement of all the lands and mead- 

* See page 57. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 121 

dow^s, and all the privileges belonging to the pastors and teach- 
ers' lots, as long as he doth continue in the work of the ministry 
amongst us. It was also voted, that Mr. Angier shall have sev- 
enty pounds a year for his salary, ten pounds of it in money, 
and sixty in country pay, as it passeth between man and man." 

" June 25, 1679. The town voted, that Mr. Angier shall 
have, for the two following years, seventy pounds for each year; 
ten pounds of it in money, and fifteen of the sixty as money, 
and the rest of it as it passeth between man and man, and a suf- 
ficiency of wood to be brought to his house." 

" The town chose Gilbert Brooks a deputy to attend the Gen- 
eral Court." 

" July 24, 1679. The raters chosen were Mr. Daniel Smith, 
John Peck, Ensign Nicholas Peck, Gilbert Brooks, and Wil- 
liam Carpenter." 

" May 18, 1680. Lieut. Peter Hunt and Ensign Peck cho- 
sen deputies." "Lieut. Peter Hunt, Ensign Nicholas Peck, 
and Gilbert Brooks, selectmen." " Mr. Daniel Smith, John 
Reade, Lieut. Hunt, Ensign Peck, Gilbert Brooks, John Peck, 
and Anthony Perry, townsmen." 

" The townsmen acquainting the town, that they had a treaty 
with Mr. Edward Howard to teach school, acquainted the town 
with the said Mr. Howard's terms, viz : twenty pounds a year in 
country pay, and his diet, besides what the court doth allow in 
that case. The town then did vote and agree that his proposals 
were accepted, and that the speediest provisions should be made 
for his maintenance; Mr. William Sabin freely proffering to diet 
him the first quarter of the year." 

" It was also agreed upon that William Blanding should have 
half an acre of land upon the common, to build a house upon 
the edge of Rocky Hill. Lieut. Hunt, Samuel Carpenter, and 
John Peck were chosen to lay out the said land, and set the 
expense of it, and also to perfix him a time when he shall build ; 
which if he neglect, he shall forfeit the land to the town again." 
This is the first time that the name " Rocky Hill " occurs in the 
town records. This name is still given to a hill, or elevation of 
some extent, about a mile north-west of " Palmer's river" 
meeting-house ; and from the character of its surface, no one 
can dispute its title to the cognomen "rocky." 

"October 22, 1680. Voted that the burying place should be 
fenced in with a stone fence." 
16 



122 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

December 16, 1680. A committee was chosen by the town 
" to sell the meeting-house ;" this committee consisted of Mr. 
Daniel Smith, Lieut. Peter Hunt. Ensign Nicholas Peck, Gil- 
bert Brooks, and Anthony Perry. 

"May 16, 1681. Ensign Nicholas Peck and Gilbert Brooks 
were chosen dejiuties to the General Court ; and Lieut. Peter 
Hunt, Ensign Nichoias^JPeck, and Gilbert Brooks, selectmen." 

" The same day it was voted and consented to, that the select- 
men should endeavour the utmost to re-engage Mr. Howard to 
keep the school another year." ^ 

"Septembers, IG81. Mr. Daniel Smith, T^nsign Nicholas 
Peck, Gilbert Brooks, Thomas Cooper, Jr. and William Car- 
penter, chosen raters for the year. 

May 17, 1682. There is, of this date, recorded in the town 
book, a meeting of the proprietors of the " North Purchase,'* 
when William Carpenter was chosen "clerk of the community" 
and sworn. 

May 25, 1683. " William Carpenter was chosen, and added 
to the former committee that was chosen by the town to sell the 
meeting-house." 

December 13, 1683. At a town meeting the townsmen pre- 
sented Mr. Taylor, a schoolmaster, and the propositions that he 
and the townsmen treated upon, viz : that he should have for the 
present year £5 in money, £10 as money, and his diet: upon 
which the town voted that he should be engaged for the year ; 
upon which agreement of the town the townsmen met the first 
of December, 1683, and did fully agree with the said Mr. 
Taylor for to keep school one year upon the terms aforesaid." 

"May 19,1684. Sergeant Jonathan Bliss was chosen by 
the town, and added to the committee to sell the meeting- 
house." 

*,t Lieut. Nicholas Peck and Gilbert Brooks chosen deputies." 

In the year 1685 the court of Plymouth granted to tha town 

a deed of confirmation, of which the following is a literal copy. 

Confirmation Deed from the Colony. 

" New Plymouth, July 7th, 1685. 

"At his Majesty's Court of Assistants, held at New Plymouth, 
July 7th, 1685. 

"Whereas at his Majesty's General Court, held at New 
PHmouth, the 4th of June, 1685, it was enacted that the Court 



HISTORY OV REHOBOTH. 123 

of Assistants be a committee, impowered to examine, allow, and 
confirm all claims of lands of former grants for townships and 
other grants of Court to particular persons ; which, being by the 
Court allowed, shall pass the scale of the Colony : — And where- 
as Mr. Daniel Smith as agent of the town of Rehoboth, an- 
swered at this court, and showed, declared, and made appear unto 
this Court by several writings and records, that the bounds of 
the said town of Rehoboth are as followetli : the first grant of 
the' said township being eight miles square, granted, in the 
year 1641, unto ^Ir. Alexander Winchester, Richard Wright, 
Mr. Henry SmitlffMr. Joseph Pecke, Mr. Stephen Paine, and 
divers others, for the settling of a town, which is now bounded 
from Putlkett river by a white oak tree marked near a small 
run, running into the said river; and from thence by marked 
trees to a great black oak, marked, standing by the edge of the 
great plaine ; and from thence by marked trees over the seven 
mile river, and over the ten-mile river unto a pine tree marked 
with two R. R., and a trench digged ; and from thence over the 
plaine to a black oak, marked with an R. and an heap of stones, 
there standing a great rock within five foot of the tree ; and from 
thence by marked trees to a black oak marked with an R, and an 
heap of stones standing on a liill near a small pond ; and from 
thence to a red oak, marked with an R, and a trench digged by 
the cedar swamp ; and from thence eighty rod by marked trees in 
the cedar swamp to a corner tree being a cedar tree marked : and 
for the eastward bounds from thence southerly to a white oak 
marked with an R, standing by the road v;ay to Taunton ; and 
from thence to a chestnut tree marked, standing on a rocky 
island, with a heap of stones ; and from thence strait to the 
south-east corner, by Mettapoysett ; the south-east line, at the 
south-west corner, is a small freshet of water running into the 
salt river, a little southward of a small island in the river, from 
thence to an oak, marked, by a swamp where Capt. Willet made 
a bridge : from thence by a marked tree to a white oak marked 
with an R, and heaps of stones, near to the house where for- 
merly Richard Whittacrer dwelt : from thence by marked trees 
to awhile oak, marked, standing in the salt meadows upon a 
point of upland near to Sowam's river, and over the river to a 
black oak marked with an R, and a heap of stones by the com- 
mon road ; from thence by marked trees to a white oak marked 
with an R ; and from thence a few rods to a great rock with an 
heap of stones upon the rock ; and from thence over the rocky 
river by marked trees, to a white oak marked with on R, by Mat- 



124 HTSTORY OV REHOBOTH. 

tapoysett river ; and from thence over the river eighty rod, to 
the south-east corner of the town, there being an heap of stones 
and a black oak marked : the west side of the town being 
bounded with Puttukett river on the west, and by the said river 
unto the Massachusetts hne; and on the northerly side by 
the said line, until it cross the old road towards the bay, where 
the marked tree stands with a heap of stones ; and thence a 
mile and a half east ; and thence by a direct line to the north- 
east corner of the present bound of Rehoboth ; and so back 
again home unto the said line between the governments. And 
this court, having examined the said writings and records, do 
approve, allow, and confirm all the bounds aforesaid to be the 
bounds of the said town of Rehoboth forever ; and that all the 
lands contained within the aforesaid boundaries shall be and 
remain unto the several proprietors thereof, according to each 
one's just right and title and interest of or into the same, and to 
their several heirs and assigns forever : with all and singular 
the benefits, profits, priviiedges, woods, waters, rights and 
heredittaments whatsoever, within, between, belonging, or any 
ways accruing unto the same ; to have and to hold unto the 
said town and proprietors respectively, to their and his heirs 
and assigns forever : According to the tenure of the Charter of 
Letters patents, granted by the Honourable Council at Plimouth, 
in the county of Dover, for the planting, ordering, and governing 
of New-England, direcatory from his Majesty king James the 
first, of happy memmory : and in testimony hereof doth allow 
the publick seal of this government to be affixed thereunto, for 
the further confirmation thereof." [Plymouth Col. Rec. of 
Deeds, vol. v. p. 341.] 

June 11, 1686, the printed laws were publickly read in a 
town meeting by order of the Governour. 

May 28, 1689. The town "voted that Mr. Angier should 
have a small tract of low ground, by the meeting house side, to 
make a garden plot near the orchard that Sam, the Indian, for- 
merly planted." 

August 9, 1689.C Samuel Peck and Thomas Cooper were 
chosen deputies, and instructed to endeavour " to procure from 
the worshipful Major Bradford " a quit-claim deed of the lands 
in the town of Rehoboth, and to sell enough of the undivided 
land, belonging to the town to obtain this deed. The following 
is a copy of the greater part of this deed, with the annexed list 
of the inhabitants and proprietors of the town ; in the transcribing 
of which 1 have preserved the original orthography, as in the 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 1 "25 

confirmation deed just preceding. This deed was entered on 
record at Bristol, April 21, 1735, in the 23d book, folio, pages 
356 to 360 inclusive. 



Quit-Claim Deed of William Bradford, to the town 
OF Rehoboth. 

"To all people to whom these presents shall come, William 
Bradford, of the town of New-Plimouth, in their Majesties 
colony of New-Plimouth, in New-England in America, Esq'r, 
the eldest son and next heir of William Bradford, Esq. late of 
Plimouth, deceased, sendeth greeting, k.c. Whereas the said 
late William Bradibrd, my honoured Auher, was invested by 
virtue of a grant by Letters Patent from the Honourable Coun- 
cil, established at Plimouth, in the county of Devon, in the 
realm of England, for the planting, ruling and governing of 
New-England in America, derivating from our late Sovereign 
Lord, King James the first, in all that part of New-England, 
tract and tracts of land which lie within and between the limits 
and bounds of said letters patents, expressed to be granted, 
given, and confirmed unto the said William Bradford, his heirs, 
associates and assigns forever; and all lands, rivers, waters, 
havens, creeks, ports, fishing, and all hereditaments, profits, 
and commodities, situate, lying, or being, or ensuing within or 
betv/een any the said limits (viz.) a certain rivulet or rundlet 
there commonly called Cohasset alias Conihasset towards the 
north, and the river commonly called Narraganset river towards 
the south, and the great western ocean towards the east, and 
between within a strait line directly extending up into the main 
land towards the west from the mouth of said river called Nar- 
raganset river to the utmost limits and bounds of a country or 
place in New-England commonly called Poconochet alias Sow- 
amset westward, and another straight line extending itself direct- 
ly from the mouth of the said river Cohasset alias Conihasset 
towards the west so far up into the main land westward as the 
utmost limits of the said country or place commonly called 
Pochanoket alias Sowwamset, do extend with all rights, royal- 
ties, privileges, franchises, as in said pattent is ratified and con- 
firmed under the common seal of said Council and signed by 
the Right Honourable Robert, Earle of Warwick, then President 
of said Council, bearing date the thirteenth day of January, 



12G HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

in the first year of the reign of our late Sovereign Lord King 
Charles the first, anno Domini 1629, dotli and may more large 
ajopear, wherein, among other favours, is also expressed the 
said Council's great respect in said grant, that after so long travel 
and great pains so hopeful plantations might not only subsist but 
also might be encouraged to proceed in so pious a work which 
might effectually tend to the propagation of religion which was 
also the chief and known ened of their first adventure at their 
own proper cost through so many foreseen, after-felt difficulties, 
losses, and pinching distresses, in this then vast, howling desert, 
and was accordingly attended through the pious care of the said 
William Bradford, with the advice and consent of such as he took 
to him, to be his associates in Court or Council, in granting such 
competent lands to each township as the inhabitants thereof 
might not only be accommodated for their own subsistence but 
also be comfortably enabled to give encouragement and mainte- 
nance to such godly, able minister or preacher of the word as 
was or should be obtained amongst them : And whereas the 
said William Bradford, my father, his grants, surrender, or con- 
veyance of any part of said land and other the premises to his 
declared associates or assigns, and also his or their grants to 
particular persons or towniships, and amongst others in the year 
of our Lord 1641, granted to Joseph Peck, Stephen Paine, 
Henry Smith, Alexander Winchester, Tliomas Cooper, Gent, 
and others with them and such others as they should associate to 
themselves, a tract of land for a plantation or township, former- 
ly called by the natives Secunke, upwards of forty-five years 
since settled and planted, now called and known by the name of 
Rehoboth ; and likewise for several years since the inhabitants of 
said town did purchase a tract of land, as additional and en- 
larging of said town, of Thomas Prince, Esq'r. then Gover- 
nour, Major Josiah Winslow, Capt. Thomas Southworth and 
Constant Southworth, Esq'r. agent for the colony of New- 
Plimouth, as may fully appear by an instrument given in the 
name of the said colony, under the seals of the said agents, 
bearing date the tentli of April, anno Domini, 1066: the said 
lands lying within the county of Bristol, in said colony of New 
Plimouth in New-England, all whicli aforesaid lands are con- 
tained within the limits and boundaries expressed in the afore- 
said Pattent or grant from the Council established at Plimouth 
in the county of Devon, (for the planting, ruling, ordering and 
governing of New-England,) unto the said William Bradford, 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 127 

his heirs, associates, and assigns, together with power duly to 
dispose of said lands, for the ends aforesaid, to such as should 
be admitted inhabitants and proprietors with them in said town 
of Rehoboth, and such other privileges and immunities as are 
usually given to the inhabitants and proprietors in other towns 
within this their Majesties' most ancient colony of New- 
Plimouth aforesaid, for the more perfect sure-making and better 
confirmation thereof, — Now Know^ Yee, that I William Brad- 
ford of New-Plimouth, son and heir to the said Willian\ Brad- 
ford deceased aforesaid, as well in performance of the true in- 
tent and meaning of the said William Biadford, my father, in 
and by the said grant, and for the ends afore mentioned as also 
for and in consideration of the sum of fifteen pounds in current 
money of New-England, to me in hand, at or before the un- 
sealing of these presents, well and truly paid by Daniel Smith, 
Esq'r. Capt. Peter Hunt, Capt. John Brown, Esq'r. John Peck, 
Lieut. Nicholas Peck, Gilbert Brooks, Thomas Cooper, Samuel 
Newman, William Carpenter, Samuel Peck, Stephen Paine^ 
Richard Bowen, and Ensign Thomas Willmath, yeomen, some 
of the proprietors of said tract and tracts, and most of them 
ancient inhabitants of said town of Rehoboth, the receipt 
whereof I do hereby acknowledge, and for divers other good 
causes and considerations especially at this time moving me, 
have granted, remised, released, and forever quit-claim, and by 
these presents for me and my heirs do grant, remise, release, 
and forever quit-claim, unto the said Daniel Smith, Peter Hunt, 
John Brown, John Peck, Nicholas Peck, Gilbert Brooks, 
Thomas Cooper, Samuel New'raan, William Carpenter, Samuel 
Peck, Stephen Paine, Richard Bowen, Thomas Willmarth, and 
to their heirs and assigns forever, "in the behalf and use of them- 
selves and all other the allowed inhabitants and proprietors 
of the said town of Rehoboth, whose names are entered in 
the town records of Rehoboth as inhabitants or proprietors 
and by their own desire shall be specified by name in the 
schedule or list of names hereto annexed, in their and every of 
their full and peaceable possession and seizen now being accord- 
ing to their and every of their common or several and respective 
interest and to their and every of their heirs and assigns forever, 
all such right, estate, title, interest, possession and demand 
whatsoever wdiich I, the said William Bradford, have or ought 
to have," he. 



128 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



"A list of the names of tlie inhabitants and proprietors of 
the Towne of Rehoboth having Rights and Titles to the Meas- 
uages, Tenements and Lands contained in the above written 
Instrument hereunto annexed and affixed, which hath been 
reade and allowed in a full Towne meeting, fFebruary the 7th, 
1689." 



Inhabitants. 

Mr. Samuel Angeir, 
Decon Thomas Cooper, 
--Joseph Peck, sen'r. 
John ftitch, 
John Woodock, sen'r. 
Serj Thomas Reade, 
Georg-e Kenricke. 
Nichollas Ide, sen'r. 
George Robinson, sen'r. 
Robert Wheaton, 
Richard Martin, 
John Peren, 
Jonathan ffuiler, sen'r. 
Enoch Hunt, 
John Hunt, 
Ephrahim Hunt 
Rice Leonard, 
Sam'l. Butterworth, 
Philip Walker, 
ffrancis Stevens, sen'r. 
John Ormsby, 
Nathaniel ChaiTee, 
Samuel Sabin, 
Serj. Preserved Able, 
Daniell Reade, 
Israll Reade, 
James Sabin, 
John Sabin, 
Noah Sabin, 
The Hieres of Thomas 

Kenrick, 
Samuel Robinson, 
Mosses Reade, 
Mr. Christopher Sanders, 
Jonah Palmer, sen'r. 
Samuell Palmer, 
Noah Mason, 
Samuell Mason, 
Nicholas Ide, jun'r. 
Sam'l. Millerd, sen'r. 
Sam'l. Millerd, jr. 
Johe Hall, 
John Redvvay, 
Sam'l. Carpenter, 
John Tittus, 
Samuell Tittus, 
Joseph Tittus, 
John Carpenter 
Thomas Grant, 
John Willmath, 
Samuel Blise, 



Inhabitants. 

Jonathan Blise, 
Joseph Buckland, 
Samuell Paine, 
Joseph Browne, 
William Carpenter, jr. 
Isack Allen, 
Thomas Willmath, jr. 
John Woodcok, jun'r. 
Iserall Woodcok, 
Thomas Woodcok, 
Jonathan Woodcok, 
Samuel Newman, jr. 
John Kinsley, 
Timothy Ide, 
Jonathan ft'uller, jun. 
Jeremiah Wheaton, 
John Shawe, 
Joseph Sabine, 
Richard Whiteaker, 
Samuel Bullock, 
Thomas Ormsby, 
Thomas Man, 
Robert Millerd, sen'r. 
Mr. Heniy Sweeping, 
Jathniell Peck, _^ 
Joshua Smith, 
John Smith, 
Richard Evens, 
James Thurbcr 
Sam'l. Bowen, 
Jonathan Willmath, 
John flVench, 
Joseph Borsworth, 
Joseph Peck, jun'r. • 
Hezekiah Pecke, — 
Richard Bowen, 
Thomas Bowen, sen'r. 
John Marten, 
Jonah Palmer, jun'r. 
Samuel Cooper, 
Nathaniell Perry, 
John Daggett, 
Thomas Cooper, 
Joseph Daggett, 
NathanielTDa^gett, 
Nathaniell Whitaker, 
Eprahim Wheaton, 
Ablah Carpenter, 
James Carpenter, 
Samson Mason, 
Joseph Mason, 



Inhabitants. 

Joseph Buckland, jun'r. 
Baruk Buckland, 
Sillas Titus, 
Nath. Paine, jun'r. 
William Robenson, 
Josiah Carpenter, 
ffrancis Stevens, jun'r. 
Richard Bowen, jun'r. 
Joseph Millerd, 
Benjamin Millerd, 
John Bowen, 
Benjamin Robinson, 
David Newman, 
David ffuiler, 
John Jenkings, 
John Jonson, 
Daniell Shepard, sen. 
David ffreeman, 
James Wilson, 
James Welch, 
John Bullock, 
John Callender, 
John Bartlet's heires. 



Orphans. 

Thomas Cooper and Na- 
thaniell Cooper, sons of 
Nath. Cooper. 

The Heires of 

Benjamin Buckland, 

Samuell ffuiler, 

The Heires of 
Eldad Kinsley, 

Jonathan Carpenter, 

David Carpenter, 

Sollomon Carpenter, 

Zacheriah Carpenter, 

Abraham Carpenter, 

The Heires of 
Robert Joanes, 

Daniell Sabin, son of Ne- 
hemiah Sabin, 

John ffuiler, 

Abiall ffuiler, 

Benjamin Paine, 

George Robinson, jr. 

Isake Mason, 

Thomas Bowen, 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



129 



TheHeiresof 

William Allen, 
Thomas Smith, 
Henry Smith, 
Abiall Smith, 
Ebennezar Walker, 
John Reade and Thomas 

Reade, 
The Heircs of 

John Reade, jun'r. 
Eliphellet Carpenter, 
Rebeka Carpenter, daugh- 
ter of Abiah Carpenter, 
Mary Walker, 
Mary Ormsby, 
Jacob Ormsby's daughter. 
The Heires of 

Mr. Pilebeame, 
James Myles and 
Nathaniel Myles, sons of 

Mr. John Myles, 
The Heires of 

John Savage, 
Philip Amidowne, 



Henry Ammidowne, 

Proprietors not inhabi- 
tants. 

James Browne, Esq. 
'J'honias Daggett, Esq. 
Mr. Nathaniell Paine, 
Mr. John Allen, sen'r. 
Mr. Henr^' Newman, 
Decon John Butterwortli, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Viall, 
Daniell Allen, 
Obidiah 15owen, sen'r. 
Samuell Viall, 
William Ingraham, 
Mr. Nichollas Taner, 
Mr. Andrew Willet, 
Mr. Phillip Squire, 
Obadiah Bowen, jun'r. 
John Paine, 
Joseph Chaffee, 
Henry Sweet, 
Mr. Samuel Myles, 



Joseph Carpenter, 
Benjamin Carpenter, 
John Carpenter, jun'r. 
Benjamin ffuller, 
Thomas Wood, 
Iserail Peck, 
John Allen, jun'r. 
Elizabeth Patey, 
Ens. Tho. Estabrooks, 
William Howard, 
John Blakstone, 
Jarett Ingraham, 
John Lovell, 
Mr. Noah fBoaide, 
Anthony Sprague, 
The Heirs of 

Humphrey Tiffany, 
George Webb, 
Thomas Barnes, 
Richard Daggerworth, 
Joseph Woodard, 
Thomas Patey. 



"December 17,1692, The town council and selectmen of 
Rehoboth delivered to Ensign Thomas Read 136 pounds of 
powder and 250 pounds of bullets, to be taken care of by him 
for the town, and not to be disposed of but by the order of the 
selectmen of the town." 

" May 1, 1693. ■ Samuel Peck was chosen and elected to 
serve as the town representative in the great and general assem- 

This was the year after the union of the colonies of Plymouth 
and Massachusetts Bay under the charter of William and Mary, 
and Mr. Peck was the first representative from the town to the 
General Court of Massachusetts. 

"August 15, 1663. It was voted by the town, that as it was 
their desire, so it should be their utmost endeavour to obtain 
Mr. Thomas Greenwood to dispense the word of God unto us 
in the time of our vacancy, until our reverend pastor, Mr. 
Angier, returns to continue with us. In order hereunto Mr. 
Samuel Peck and Joseph Browne were chosen by the town to 
go down to Mr. Greenwood, this week, to do their endeavour to 
bring him up this week, if it may." " A committee w^as also 
chosen to agree with Mr, Angier, inbehalf of the town, respect- 
ing his support and maintenance." 

Mr. Angier was at this time at Cambridge, whither he had 
removed in the latter part of 1692, or the early part of 1693, 
assigning, as the cause of his removal, ill health. 
17 



130 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

" September 11, 1693. It was voted that there should be a 
letter written in the town's name to our reverend pastor, Mr. 
Angier, that they may know his mind about his return." 

This letter Mr. Angier answered in person; and, despairing of 
the recovery of his health so as to be able to resume his duties 
as minister of Rehoboth, he took his leave of his church and 
people, recommending to them the Rev. Thomas Greenwood 
as a suitable person to fill the station which he regretted to be 
obliged to resign. 

Mr. Angier was born in 1655, (probably at Cambridge), and 
graduated at Harvard College in 1673, and was a member of 
the board of Fellows of that university. He was settled as the 
pastor of Rehoboth, in the year 1679, whence he removed, as 
was before stated, in 1692 or 1693, to Cambridge. His resi- 
dence at Cambridge was short. Having regained his health, he 
was chosen on the 28th of August, 1696, by the church in that 
part of ancient Watertown, which is now Waltham, to be their 
pastor; and on the 21st of September following, the town con- 
curred in the choice, and he was installed pastor of Watertown, 
May 25, 1697. Here, after an eminent and successful ministry, 
he died, January 21, 1719, aged sixty-five.* 

Mr. Angier married the daughter of the Rev. Urian Oakes, 
fourth president of Harvard University, and her mother was the 
daughter of the celebrated Dr. William Ames, author of the 
" Medulla Theologice,'^ and a professor at the university of 
Rotterdam. His son, the Rev. John Angier, was the first pas- 
tor of the east parish of the ancient Bridgewater, where he was 
ordained, October 28, 1724. He was born in 1701, graduated 
at Harvard University in 1720, married a daughter of Ezra 
Bourne, Esq. of Sandwich, and died April 14, 1787, aged 
eio'hty-six, having been minister of East Bridgewater fifty-two 
years. His son, Samuel, who graduated at Harvard in 1763, 
was ordained his colleague at East Bridgewater, December 23, 
1767, and died January 18, 1805, in the sixty second year of 
his age. His other son, Oakes Angier, was an attorney settled 
at Bridgewater, and a man of some eminence in his profession. 
He left a family, one of whom, John, settled at Belfast, Me 

* For many of the facts here stated respecting the Rev. Samuel Angier, see 
Mass. Hist. Coll. 2d series, vol. VII, pp. 165, 166, Description of Bridgewater, art. 
furnished by the Hon. Nahum Mitchell, late of East Bridgewater, now libra- 
rian of the Mass. Hist. Soc. Boston. See also Baylies' Memoir of Plymouth 
Colony, vol. II. part iv. chap. 3, pp. 88, 89. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 131 

A daughter of the Rev. John Angier was married to the 
Rev. Ephraim Hyde, subsequently a minister of Rehoboth. 

" October 1, 1693, the town voted that the former committee 
chosen by the town, August 15th last, shall be further empow- 
ered, not only to treat with Mr. Thomas Greenwood for his 
support and maintenance, while he continues in the work of the 
ministry among us, but also have full power to treat and agree 
with him respecting his settlement as the minister of the town. 

Mr. Greenwood complied with the invitation, and was settled 
as the minister of Rehoboth, in October of 1693. The town 
agreed to give him "ninety-five pounds of current silver money 
of New-England towards his settlement ; and, for his comforta- 
ble subsistence, the contribution of strangers and seventy pounds 
yearly, to be paid him, one third in current silver money, as 
aforesaid, and the other two-thirds in beef, pork, and all sorts of 
merchantable corn, rye, and butter, and cheese, and merchanta- 
ble boards, at the current price, set upon them yearly by the 
selectmen of the town." 

The use of the pastors' and teacliei-s' lands was also granted 
him, so long as he should continue in the work of the ministry 
in Rehoboth. 

July 6, 1696. Deacon Samuel Newman was chosen repre- 
sentative to the General Court at Boston. This was the third 
meeting for the choice of a representative, this year ; a great 
number having been successively elected, but immediately de- 
clined serving. 

This year there is mention made of a Doctor Richard Bowen, 
who was chosen, July 27th, one of the assessors. 

"January 4, 1697. The town voted that the stray Indians 
should be warned out of town, that are hunting in town." 

" October 4, 1698. The town voted, that a schoolmaster, 
as the law directs, should be attained, and the selectmen should 
endeavour the gaining one, and likewise agree with him, when 
attained, for his encouragement to keep school." 

" November 21, 1698. The selectmen met and ordered that 
the school-house should be repaired and made fit for to keep 
school in, and ordered William Carpenter to procure . shingles, 
boards, and nails, and what else is wanting for fitting it up, on the 
town's account." 

"March 15, 1699. The selectmen made an agreement with 
Thomas Robinson, of this town, to keep a reading and writing 
school, for the term of three months, to begin the first or second 



132 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

week in April, at the farthest ; and for his labour he is to have 
three pounds, half in silv-er money, the one half of it when he 
has kept half the term, and the other half when his quarter is 
expired : the last part of his pay in corn equivalent to money.'' 

" December 4, 1699. The selectmen agreed with Mr. 
Robert Dickson to keep school in Rehoboth for six months, to 
begin on Tliursday, the seventh of this instant ; he engaging to 
do his utmost endeavour to teach both sexes of boys and girls 
to read English, and write, and cast accounts. In consideration 
of said service, the said selectmen, in the town's behalf, do 
engage to pay him thirteen pounds, one half in silver money, 
and the other half in good merchantable boards, at the current 
aud merchantable price ; the boards to be delivered at the land- 
ing place, at Samuel Walker's and Sergeant Butlerworth's mill." 
This landing place was at the cove at the mouth of the Ten- 
mile river in Seekonk. It is said, that early in the history of 
the town there were wharves built out into the river near the 
mouth of this cove, that stores wei'e erected here, and consid- 
erable trade carried on, and that the people of Providence fre- 
quently came over here to purchase their goods,''* 

" June 11, 1700. The committee appointed by the town, to 
procure a schoolmaster for this year, agreed with the Rev. 
Thomas Greenwood, their minister, to teach the school, for the 
sum of thirty pounds in current silver money." 

"October 3, 1700. The town voted to repair the meeting- 
house." 

"April 2, 1701. The town voted to enlarge the meeting- 
house, by bringing the front gallery two seats farther forward, 
and the side galleries, each one seat farther forward." 

The name of " Oak Swamp " occurs in the records for the 
first time this year. 

"November 12, 1703. The town voted, that the school- 
master, Mr. Joseph Metcalf, shall keep school at Palmer's 
river half the year, viz : the last six months of this present 
year, that the said schoolmaster is hired for ; and the inhabitants 
of that part of the town are to provide a convenient place for 
the schoolmaster to keep school in." 

May 15, 1704. Benjamin Allen was chosen representative, 

* I had these facts from the mouth of the venerahle Moses Brown of Provi- 
dence. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 133 

but was "ejected the House of Representatives" (for what 
reason the town records do not state) ; and, on the 7th day of 
June,Capt. Enoch Hunt was elected in his place. 

"March 19, 1705. It was voted by the town, that Ichabod 
Bosworth shall have liberty to set up a hammer to go by water, 
for the blacksmith's trade, and a shop and coal-house upon the 
Ox-pasture run, where the foot-path goeth down the hill, at the 
point of said hill : and the said ]3osworth nor his heirs are not 
to raise a dam higher than to flow about an acre and a half." 

Mr. John Rogers was employed by the town to teach school 
during half the year, for the sum of fifteen pounds in current 
silver money of New England. He was to commence on the 
9th day of July. 

"March 18, 1706. The town appointed a committee to 
procure a schoolmaster for one whole year, to be qualified as the 
law directs." This year, Joseph Avery was employed "to 
keep school within the Ring of the Green, for a quarter of a 
year, for seven pounds ten shillings, silver money." 

"October 25, 1708. The town voted that there shall be a 
pound set up on Palmer's river." 

Mr. John Lynn taught a school in Rehoboth during three 
months of the year 1708, agreeing to instruct in reading, writing, 
grammar, and arithmetic, for the sum of seven pounds in current 
money of New-England. 

Mr. John Lynn entered into another engagement with the 
town, to teach school one year from the 28th day of February, 
1709, for the sum of twenty -nine pounds in current money of 
New-England. The different divisions of the town, in which 
the school was to be kept successively, this year, and from each 
of which one of the school committee was taken, are named as fol- 
lows in the records, with the length of time allotted to each : 
"The ring of the town" and "the neighbourhood on the east 
side of the ring of the town," 21 weeks; "Palmer's river," 
14 weeks; " Watchemoquetneck,"* 13 weeks; "Capt. Enoch 
Hunt's neighbourhood, " and " the mile and a half," 9 weeks. 

Mr. Lynn was again employed by the town as their school- 
master in 1710, and received for his services thirty pounds. 

* This name was given to that part of the present town of Seekonk which 
lies helow the mouth of the Ten-mile river, along the Seekonk or Pawtucket 
river and Narraganset bay, as far down, probably, as the point of land now 
called " Bullock's neck," and including it. 



134 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

It appears from the town records, that, in 1711, a petition 
was presented to the General Court " by the inhabitants of the 
south-east part of the town," (Palmer's river), to have the town 
divided into two precincts for the support of the ministry, and 
that each precinct should support a minister. 

This measure the inhabitants of the older part of the town, 
(now Seekonk), promptly and resolutely opposed. They drew 
up and presented to the General Court, by way of remonstrance, 
a long petition, in \vhich they stated, that a former petition of 
theirs had been represented, in the petition of the people of 
Palmer's river,* as "a heap of lies and deceits : " this is all we 
know of the contents of the latter petition ; the other is entered 
at large on the town records. 

"March 30, 1712. Voted to raise thirty pounds annually, 
for the support of schools : of which the neighbourhood of 
Palmer's river should have ten pounds, and be obliged to main- 
tain an English school; and the old part of the town and 
Watchemoquet should have the remaining twenty pounds, and 
be obliged to maintain a grammar school." 

In May, 1713, the General Court recommended to the town 
of Rehoboth the raising of £120 for the support of two minis- 
ters, — one at Palmer's river. Against this the majority of the 
town remonstrated by a petition. 

"September 12, 1715. The town voted to build a new 
meeting-house, to be fifty feet in length and forty feet in breadth, 
and twenty-five feet between joints ; the town to pay towards it 
two hundred and fifty pounds. It is mentioned in another place, 
that the meeting-house " should be so high between joints as will 
be needful for two sets of galleries." It was also voted that 
the new house should stand near the site of the old one. 

"June 11, 1716. Voted that the meeting-house now build- 
ing should be set up and raised on the east side of the old meet- 
ing-house, ranging north with the old meeting-house, and thirty- 
three feet eastward from it." This new house stood, as I have 
been informed, a few rods south of the present Congregational 
meeting-house in Seekonk. 

"March 25, 1717. The town voted that John Lyon should 
have liberty to build a wharf and ware-house, at the point called 

*The neighbourhood of " Palmer's river" was in the vicinity of the Orleans 
Factory, and extended along the river both above and below it. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 135 

Daggett's point, below the hill." This I think to be the point of 
land between the Ten-mile river and the Pawtucket, upon the 
north side of the mouth of the former. 

It appears from the records, in 1717, that the people of 
Palmer's river, with the permission of the General Court, had 
commenced building a meeting-house in their part of the town ; 
and the inhabitants of the older part of the town, seeing them 
determined on prosecuting their plans, agreed, provided they 
should be freed from all further expense of erecting this house, 
to give up for their assistance £50 of the £250, which had been 
voted by the town for the erection of a meeting-house in the 
western and older part of it. 

"December 16, 1718. The community," (as the company 
associated for building the meeting-house in the western part of 
the town were now called,) " voted, and gave the old pulpit, 
belonging to the old meeting-house, to the congregation of Pal- 
mer's river, to be set up in their meeting-house, provided said 
congregation do accept of said pulpit for the use before men- 
tioned." 

The new meeting-house, which the people of Palmer's river 
w^ere now building, stood between the present Congregational 
meeting-house of Rehoboth and the Orleans Factory, about a 
half of a mile from the latter, and near the old burying ground, 
on what is sometimes called " burying-place hill." 

" December 23, 1718. It was voted by the community, that 
the rules to be observed in seating the new meeting-house for 
the sabbath are as followeth : firstly, to have regard to dignity 
of person, and secondly by age, and thirdly according to the 
charge they bare in respect to the public charges, and what 
charge they have been at in building the meeting-house." A 
committee was chosen to seat the house according to the above 
rules. 

The fifty pounds voted by the the town and " community," 
to aid in building the meeting-house at Palmer's river, on con- 
dition that the town were freed from all further expense connect- 
ed with it, were accepted by the inhabitants of Palmer's river, 
who also entered into an eneagement to clear the town from all 
further expense in relation to their house. The following list 
of the names of those who bound themselves to this agreement, 
may serve to give us some idea of the number and names of the 
families who constituted the neighbourhood of Palmer's river : — 



136 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

Samuel Peck, The mark + of Joshua Smith, jun'r. 

"Jethanial Peck, Solomon Millard, Ichabod Peck,— ^ 

Joshua Smith, Thomas Bliss, Ephraim Millard, 

Samuel Bliss, Wilham Blanding, William Marten, 

Lennox Beverly, Daniel Blanding, Jacob Bliss. 

Benjamin Willson, ^ Solomon Peck, 
Abraham Carpenter, Nathaniel Smith, 

"December 29, 1718. Voted that the congregation at 
Palmer's river should have for their use the facing of the old 
meeting-house gallery, towards finishing their meeting-house." 

"March 28, 1720. Thomas Cathcart, of Martha's Vine- 
yard, agreed to teach school one quarter of a year, commencing 
at the middle of August, " for the sum often pounds in money." 

"March 10,1720. Mr. John Greenwood agreed with the 
selectmen to teach school for the town, six months, for twelve 
pounds for the first quarter, and the second quarter at the rate of 
forty-five pounds per year." He was the son of the Rev. 
Thomas Greenwood, then their minister; he graduated at Cam- 
bridge in 1717, and, in 1721, was settled as the minister of the 
western part of Rehoboth, over the church of which his father 
had been pastor. 

The Rev. Thomas Greenwood died September 8, 1720, at 
half past 2 o'clock P. M., aged fifty years. He was a native 
of Weymouth, Mass. where his father, of whose christian name 
I am ignorant, died, according to minutes made by the Rev. 
Thomas Greenwood, still extant,* September 1, 1693, in the 
evening. Mr. Greenwood graduated at Cambridge in 1690, 
was married December 28, 1693, and came to reside in Reho- 
both the Tuesday following. Mr. Greenwood had six children, 
viz: Hannah, born Feb. 5, 1694; John, born May 20, 1697, 
about two o'clock P. M. ; Noah, born April 20, 1699, and died 
March 26, 1703; Esther, born August 20, 1791, and died 
Sept. 14; Elizabeth, born April 5, 1704; and Esther, born 
Saturday, June 25, 1709. Mrs. Greenwood died at Weymouth, 
January 24, 1735, and was interred the 27th. 

" November 14, 1720. Whereas the church of Christ, in 
Rehoboth, having made choice of the Rev. Mr. John Green- 

* These are a book of family and church records, which the Rev. John 
Greenwood bequeathed to the church, and which are still in the possession of 
the Congregational church of Seekonk. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 137 

wood to preach the gospel amongst us for the present; the 
question behig put, whether the town would concur with the 
church's choice; it passed in the affirmative." " Voted by the 
town to raise seventy pounds per annum till we have a minister 
settled amongst us." 

"February 13, 1721. A vote was taken for inviting Mr. 
Greenwood to become the minister of the west part of the 
town. One hundred and nineteen voted in favour of the meas- 
ure and only five against it." 

" March 13, 1721 . The towui voted, that the business of both 
the religious congregations of the town, — the one in the west 
part of the town, and the one at Palmer's river, — should be 
managed by the town as the affairs of one church ; and that the 
expenses of each should be borne by the whole town. The 
town voted also to raise £200 for the settlement of a minister 
in each of the two meeting-houses ; £100 to be appropriated to 
each." 

The meeting-house at Palmer's river was, by this time com- 
pleted, and on the 29th of November, 1721, a church was gath- 
ered here, and the Ref. David Turner, of Scituate, ordained 
their minister. 

" July 8, 1723. Josiah Cotton made an agreement with the 
town to keep the school in Rehoboth for the quantity of one 
year, for the sum of £45." 

" May 8, 1727. The town voted a bounty of 5s. to any one 
who should kill a wild-cat within the limits of the town, and 
bring the head to any two of the selectmen." 

"April 22, 1728. Voted that the town's proportion of the 
sixty thousand pounds, that is now in the Province's treasury, 
should be brought into the town ; and Mr. Samuel Bullock, 
Mr. Timothy Walker, and Mr. John Willmarth were chosen 
trustees, to transact about the money." It w^as also voted, 
"' that this money be let out to the inhabitants of the town by 
the trvistees ; and that none be allowed to have more than ten 
pounds, nor less than five." 

June 10, 1728. The Rev. John Greenwood and the Rev. 
David Turner presented a petition to the town for an increase of 
their salaries, stating that their present salaries were inadequate 
to their comfortable support. The town, in answer to their 
petition, voted to add to Mr. Greenwood's salary £20, and to 
Mr. Turner's £30, making the sum of the respective salaries of 
each £100. 

18 



138 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

"March 31, 1729. It was proposed for the town's consid- 
eration, whether it might not be proper to build a house for the 
entertainment of such poor people as are, or shall be, destitute 
of a house to dwell in. The town by vote adjourned or deferred 
the matter till the next general town meeting." 

" May 21, 1733. John Pierce of Rehoboth brought a wild- 
cat's head before the town, and his ears were cut oft' by Thomas 
Carpenter, constable, in the presence of one or more of the 
selectmen of the town of Rehoboth." 

In the year 1734, the town expended for the support of 
schools £G0. 

During the year 1735, the town obtained leave of the Gen- 
eral Court to sell the several small pieces of school land, that 
lay scattered in difterent parts of the town, " provided that they 
purchased other real estate, in one entire tract, with the pro- 
ceeds of said sale, to be appropriated for the use of the schools 
in Rehoboth, and for no other use whatever." 

"November 3, 1735. Thirty pounds were voted towards 
upholding the grammar school in town." And November 
6th, sixty pounds were added to the thirty for the support of 
schools in town. 

" March 29, 1736. Voted to build a work-house for the 
poor of the town." 

"October 22, 1736. Ten pounds were granted towards 
the support of the gospel in the north-east part of the town. 
This was probably granted to a Baptist congregation, though no 
church was organized (according to Benedict) in this part of the 
town till 1743, the date of the organization of " Round's 
church." 

"November 15, 1736. The town voted to raise £140 for 
the support of the ministry, £70 of which were to be paid to 
the Rev. John Greenwood, and the other £70 to the Rev. 
David Turner." 

" March 28, 1737. Forty pounds were voted towards the 
salary of a schoolmaster; and what is needed more is to be 
made up out of the town treasury." 

In 1739, £80 were expended for the support of schools. 
During this year the town voted to give the Rev. John Green- 
wood and the Rev. David Turner each £200 yearly, in " the 
present currency." The currency here referred to was proba- 
bly the bills of credit issued by the General Court of Massachu- 
setts, and which, as appears by the doubhng of their salaries, 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 139 

had already depreciated one half. The town also voted to grant 
a salary to the elder of the B;iptist church in Rehoboth. 

"March 31, 1740. Peter Bowen and Ebenezer Cole were 
chosen to inform of all breaches of an act in addition to an act 
for the better preservation and increase of deer." 

In the year 1741, a highway two rods wide was laid out by 
the town, " from Pawtucket Falls till it come to the line 
between Rehoboth and Attleborough, into the county road lead- 
ing towards Mendon, laid out on the 3d or 4th day of October, 
1684." 

In 1742 the town expended £70 for the support of schools: 
and in 1743, £90 were appropriated for the same object. 

In 1743, the prices of grain, agreed on between the town and 
the ministers, and at which rates the latter were to receive it in 
the payment of their salaries, were as follows, viz : wheat at 
155. per bushel, rye 12s., Indian corn 9s., oats 5s., barley lOs. 

In 1744, £65 were expended for the support of schools, and 
in the year following, £125. 

The Rev. David Turner, in addition to the duties of a cler- 
gyman, sometimes practised the healing art, to which he appears 
to have given some attention before studying divinity. In the 
year 1746, "the Rev. David Turner is allowed £5 for admin- 
istering medicine to one of the poor of the town." 

In 1746 the town raised for the support of schools £125, in 
1747, £170. in 1748, £200, and in 1749, £300. 

"May 23, 1749. Voted that the sum of £40 of bills of 
credit, of the old tenor, be added to the ministerial tax the pres- 
ent year, to make up the deficiency occasioned by what is to be 
paid out of it to ]\Ir. Checkly, minister of the church of Eng- 
land at Providence." 

In 1750, the town raised for the support of schools £30, in 
1751, the same sum, and in 1752, £38. 

" May 1752. Voted that the meeting-house in the west part 
of the town be covered with new shingles, and the south side of 
the said house be repaired with new clapboarding and new win- 
dows with sash glass." 

March 25, 1754. The town voted to build a pound at 
Palmer's river. This year the town expended for the support 
of schools £38, in the year following, £30, in 1756, £G8, in 
1757 and 1758 the same sum. 

It appears from a letter addressed to the church by him, that, 
in 1757 Mr. Greenwood was obliged, in consequence of bodilv 



140 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

infirmity to resign his pastoral charge over his church in Reho- 
both. He also, at the request of the town, relinquished his 
yearly salary and his claim to the profits of the ministerial lands, 
on condition of the church, or town, or individuals, becoming 
responsible for the payment of £20 to him yearly during his 
life. The following is a copy of his letter. 

Rehoboth, December y® 2d, 1757. 

" To the First Church of Christ in Rehoboih, under my 
pastoral care. 

'' Brethe7-en : 

" Whereas, by divine Providence, I am rendered unable, 
through bodily infirmity, to carry on the work of the ministry 
any longer, after 30 odd years labour therein : and whereas you 
presented to me the town's resolution, not to grant any support 
for another minister here, except I release my salary, y® minis- 
tering lands, and quit my pastorial office : although I think it not 
reasonable in tiie town to defer it ; yet for peace's sake, and that 
the gospel might not be hindered, I release my salaiy, from the 
eleventh day of March next and forever after ; and I also release 
the ministry lands in said town from any claime or any improve- 
ment from me after the first of March next, as aforesaid. And 
by the advice of some ministers and bretheren, called to advise 
in the affair, and at the desire of this church, I do likewise 
promise to ask and to receive of this church a dismission from 
my pastoral oflice over them, as soon as a council of churches 
can conveniently sit for the orderly doing of it ; provided the 
church, particular persons, or the town, or any or all of them, 
will come under obligation, for my support and maintenance 
during my natural life, to give me twenty pounds annually, to be 
paid, one half in money, and the other half in specie equal to 
money; the first year to be paid, the eleventh day of March, 
A. D. 1759 ; and so from year to year, by the eleventh of 
March successively, during my natural life, as aforesaid, and that 
I and my estaie be not taxed towards public charges. 

" John Greenwood." 

These propositions the church and town readily acceded to, 
and forty-seven individuals pledged themselves jointly to raise 
annually the support required, agreeing to give yearly various 
sums each, from "two pounds" to "two bushels of corn" or 
" two bushels of rye." 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 141 

Mr. Greenwood died December 1, 1766, having lived in 
Rehoboth between forty-five and Ibrty-six years. He was born 
at Rehoboth, May 20, 1697, graduated at Cambridge in 1717, 
was married May 25, 1721, and ordained minister of Rehoboth 
in the same year. Mr. Greenwood had fourteen children, the 
most of which died young. 

Mr. Greenwood was succeeded in the ministry by the Rev. 
John Carnes, a native of Boston, and former minister of Stone- 
ham. He was installed over the first Congregational church in 
Rehoboth, April 18, 1759, and was disuiissed by request, June 
28, 1763. He graduated at Cambridge in 1742. His wife 
was Mary, a daughter of ]\Ir. John Lewis, of Lynn. He died 
at Lynn, October 12, 1802, aged 78 years. A more particular 
account of Mr. Carnes will be given in the ecclesiastical part of 
the history of the town. From the time of the death of the 
latter Mr Greenwood, the affairs of the town and the churches 
became distinct, and will hereafter be so related in our history. 

From 1759 to 1772 the town raised annually for the support 
of schools £80, with the exception of the year 1767, when 
£100 were raised. 

Li 1760, the term '■^ dollars''^ occurs in the town records for 
the first time. 

In 1763, the town "voted to petition the General Court for 
a lottery, in order to raise a sufficient sum of money to build a 
work-house for the use of the poor of the town." 

May 14, 1766, the Rev. Ephraim Hyde was ordained pastor 
of the first Congregational church in Rehoboth, in the place of 
the Rev. John Carnes, who had taken a dismission. 

In 1772, the town " voted for schooling to be added to the 
profits of the school land, £93 135." From 1772 to 1778, the 
town raised annually for the support of schools the sum of £90; 
in 1778, £200, and in 1779, £300 were raised for the same 
object. 



Revolutionary Affairs. 

We have now, in our survey of the history of the town, ap- 
proached the eventful period of the war of the Revolution. 
Our materials for the history of this period are scanty, as Reho- 
both can claim the honour of having been the theatre of 
no interesting event connected with this war ; but, as exhibiting 



142 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

the feelings of the people at large, and disclosing the secret but 
powerful workings of that spirit which achieved our indepen- 
dence, the (cw facts we are able to give may not be uninterest- 
ing. Mucii of the spirit of those times may be learned from a 
general survey of the country ; but the secret workings of that 
spirit in the minds of the people can be best traced in minute 
histories of the particidar towns. Here the emotions of the 
national heart may be felt in the pulsations of the feeblest artery ; 
and here the firmness of the national arm may be seen in the 
tension of the minutest cord. And we cease to wonder at 
wiiat the united strength of the colonies achieved, when we con- 
template the determined zeal which pervaded the breasts of the 
smaller communities and of individuals. The bold Declaration 
of Independence hardly astonishes us, when we consider the 
proud spirit of independence which breathed through the coun- 
cils of even the smallest assembly. The humblest citizen of 
the humblest town in the colonies felt that he contended for his 
rights, with the king of England, upon equal footing, — for his 
rights were the rights of man. The glitter of a diadem, the 
splendors of a throne, and even the magic name of king, in his 
view, gave to the monarch no title to the privilege of trampling 
the rights of the subject in the dust ; nor did the name of sub- 
ject impose the duty of submitting tamely to the abuses and 
usurpations of power. The elo(juence of Otis had electrified 
New-England ; beyond the reach of its thunder its lightning 
had been felt, and had ignited the train which the tyranny and 
oppression of years had laid. One spirit now breathed throuLdi 
New-England and inspired every breast. The people thought, 
and felt, and acted as one. And the sentiment which pervaded 
alike the colonial assembly, the county convention, and the town 
meeting, throughout Massachusetts, was a settled and firm resolve 
to resist to the last extremity every encroachment upon their 
rights, and to maintain those rights at all hazards. While, with 
filial affection for the mother coimtry, and true loyalty to their 
sovereign, they declared that " the prosperity of England they 
had ever considered as near and dear to them as their own," and 
prayed " that there might never be wanting one of the illustrious 
House of Hanover to sway the sceptre of Great Britain and 
America, so long as the sun and moon should endure;" they 
omitted not to add the petition, that that sway might be " in 
rio"hteousness," and a determination "not only to secure their 



HISTORY OP KEHOBOTH. 143 

remaining privileges inviolable, but also to obtain a full redress 
of all their many grievances, and a full restoration and confir- 
mation of all the rights and privileges they were justly entitled 
to by nature and the solemn compact entered into with their 
predecessors, the patentees of the province, and solemnly rati- 
fied by King William and Queen Mary." 

As an illustration of these remarks, and a proof that the peo- 
ple of Rehoboth were not wanting in patriotic zeal at this 
eventful crisis, a copy of the instructions given by the town to 
their representative, in 1773, is here inserted. These instruc- 
tions breathe a spirit of noble independence, and glow with the 
same fire which kindled the eloquence of Faneuil Hall or lit the 
thunders of Bunker Hill. / 

"To Capt. Joseph Barney, Representative for the town of 
Rehoboth. 

« Sir, 

" It is evident from the repeated suffrages of the freehold- 
ers and other inhabitants of this town, that your late conduct in 
the Genera] Assembly of this Province has met with a favoura- 
ble reception. With pleasing hopes and expectations we trust 
you will, in this day of general oppression and invasion of our 
natural and inherent rights and liberties, join in every salutary 
and constitutional measure to remove those unconstitutional 
burdens and grievances, that this Province, and America in gen- 
eral have long and justly remonstrated against. Nevertheless, 
we think it our duty to express our sentiments in regard to the 
encroachments made on our rights and liberties, as stated by the 
worthy inhabitants of the metropolis of this Province, whose 
loyalty, vigilance, and ))atriotic zeal, in this time of common 
danger, has not been ef|ualled in the present nor exceeded in 
former times ; of which we have the highest opinion, and shall 
ever acknowledge with gratitude : the particulars of which we 
do not think expedient to enumerate, but refer you to a pamph- 
let* (for your careful perusal), sent from Boston to this and 
every other town in the Province ; which, (upon the most care- 
ful and critical examination), we humbly conceive very justly 
states our rights and privileges as men, as subjects, as christians, 

* This was a pamphlet published by Mi. Otis, entitled "the Rights of the 
British Colonies asserted and proved." 



144 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

and the unparalleled encroachments made on them by a ministry, 
who, fond of arbitrary sway, in open violation of the most 
sacred contract and agreement, entered into with our predeces- 
sors, the patentees of this province, and solemnly ratified by 
king William and queen Mary, have hitherto with impunity 
profanely violated the faith and promise of a king, on whose 
royal word we made the most firm and indubitable reliance, and 
have involved this province and continent in the utmost distress 
and calamity, and in its consequences have deeply affected the 
parent state, whose prosperity and happiness we have ever con- 
sidered as near and dear to us as our own. And it now is, and 
ever has been, our earnest desire and prayer, that there may 
never be wanting one of the illustrious House of Hanover to 
sway the sceptre of Great Britain and America, in righteousness, 
so long as the sun and moon shall endure. 

"We, your constituents, desire and expect that you exert 
yourself to the utmost of your ability, not only to secure our 
remaining privileges inviolable, but also to obtain a fidl redress 
of all those many grievances, so justly complained of, — a full 
restoration and confirmation of all the rights and privileges we 
are justly entitled to by nature and the solemn compact, afore- 
said ; that generations yet unborn may knovv^, that this town 
have not been dormant, while the enemies thereof have been 
vigilant and active, to wrest from them every privilege and bles- 
sing, that renders life worthy of enjoyment. 

" We trust you will be vigilant even among your bretheren, 
lest some of them, through sinister views or ambitious designs, 
be induced to barter away and betray our dear-bought privileges 
and liberties, together with this our paternal inheritance, estab- 
lished whh so much toil, and raised to such a height of glory, 
and transmitted down to us at no less price than the blood and 
treasure of our ancestors. Though we hope and presume, 
there will not be found a man in that august assembly, so aban- 
doned, so profane, so enthusiastic, so mad, as to disturb the 
repose of the pious dead, and bring upon himself not only the 
just indignation of all the virtuous, but the ire of that dread Sov- 
ereign, beneath whose aweful frown audacious monarchs and 
their minions tremble. 

" We present these hints to your judicious consideration, and 
wish that not only you, but all the true friends to the English 
constitution, may be guided in the path of wisdom and equity, 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 145 

and never be diverted from the steady pursuit of the true inter- 
ests of yourselves, your king, your country, and posterity. 
" Ephraim Starkweather, \ 
Nathan Daggett, i Committee 

Ihomas Carpenter, 3d, V j. 

T 1 T> -'i I i Correspondence J^ 

Joseph Undgham, 1 -^ 

Wilham Cole, / 

The following are some of the most interesting votes and 
resolves passed by the town during the period of the revolution, 
and having relation to that war. 

"July 25, 1774. Voted by a great majority, that the sura of 
£5 35. &d. be drawn out of the town treasury, for the use of 
the committee of this province, that are to meet in the General 
Congress ; it being Rehoboth's proportionable part of the money 
to be ordered out of the treasury by the selectmen." 

" Voted not to purchase any goods, imported from Great 
Britain, after the 31st day of August next, until the act for 
blocking up the harbour of Boston be repealed, and the govern- 
ment be restored to its former privileges." " Likewise voted 
that the town clerk transmit a copy of the transactions of this 
meeting to the clerk of the Corresponding Committee in 
Boston." 

" September 19, 1774. The town chose Maj. Timothy 
Walker and Capt. John Wheeler delegates to attend the propo- 
sed Provincial Congress, on the second Tuesday of October 
next, at Concord, or any other time or place that the major 
part of the delegates of said province may agree upon.*" 

* From the records in the secretary's office we have the following account of 
the different Provincial Congresses : — 

First Congress. 
Convened at Salem, Oct. 7, 1774 ; adjourned the same day. 
Convened at Concord, Tuesd. Oct. 11 ; adjourned Sat. loth, same month. 
Convened atCambridge, Mond. Oct. 17; adjourned Sat. 29th. do. 
Convened at Cambridge, Wed. Nov. 23 ; dissolved Sat. Dec. 10th. 

Second Congress. 
Convened at Cambridge, Wed. Feb. 1775; adjourned Thursd. 16th, -flame 
month. 

Convened at Concord. Tuesd. March 22 ; adjourned Sat. April 15th. 
Convened at Concord, Sat. April 22; adjourned the same day. 
Convened at Watertown, Mond. April 24 ; dissolved May 29th. 

Third Congress. 
Convened at Watertown, May 31, 1775; dissolved July 19tb. 
19 



146 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

" October 3, 1774. The town cliose Capt. Thomas Carpen- 
ter a delegate for the Provincial Congress, in the room of Capt. 
John Wheeler, that is dismissed." 

"November 21, 1774. Voted to accept of, and abide by, the 
results of the Provincial Congress." "Voted that every con- 
stable, collector, or person, who have in their hands, or that may 
hereafter have, any of the province's monies, that they pay the 
same to Henry Gardner, Esq. of Stow, instead of the Hon. 
Harrison Gray, Esq. and that they produce his receipt, which 
shall be a full and effectual discharge for the same, agreeable to 
a resolve of the Provincial Congress, October 28th, 1774 : to 
the whole of which resolve we promise and engage faithfully to 
adhere in all its parts." 

"January 2, 1775. The town chose Maj. Timothy Walker 
and Capt. Thomas Carpenter delegates to attend the Provincial 
Congress to be holden at Cambridge, on the first day of Feb- 
ruary next." 

The Rev. Ephraim Hyde's parish (then the first Congrega- 
tional society in Rehoboth, now the first in Seekonk), contribu- 
ted £6, " for the relief and support of the poor of Boston, 
sufferers by means of the Boston Port-Bill." 

The receipt of £10 is acknowledged by Henry Gardner, 
Esq. treasurer of the Provincial Congress, as a " part of the 
province's tax, set on the town of Rehoboth by the General 
Court." 

"May 26, 1775. Voted to raise two companies in this town 
to be ready on any special alarm ; one company to be raised in 
the westerly part, and the other in the easterly part of said town. 
Likewise voted that every soldier, enlisting to be a minute man, 
on alarm shall have three shillings a day, he finding himself, 
if called into service, until they come to draw provisions out of 
the provision stores, ; and then to have two shillings a day, for 
each day, until they return home again except they shall be paid 
by the province." "Also voted that the selectmen divide the 
town stock of ammunition, the one half for the west part of the 
town, the other half for the east part." 

"June 12, 1775. Voted that the selectmen provide for the 
poor of the town of Boston, that are, or shall be, sent to this 
town, upon the town's credit." " Also voted that there be fifty 
men in each special alarm company, exclusive of officers ; and 
that the captains of each company provide a man with a horse- 
cart and two horses, in order to carry the baggage of the compa- 
nies in case of alarm." 



HISTOKY OF KEHOBOTH. 147 

November 6, 1775. The town " voted to borrow four 
pieces of cannon of Capt. John Lyon and Mr. Nathan Dag- 
p-ett ; " and voted " the sura of £G0 to defray the charges of 
mounting said cannon, and providing ammunition and other 
utensils that shall be needful for the same." Also chose " a 
committee, to wait on a committee of the town of Providence, 
to consult on fortifying Hog-pen Point." 

" November 13, 1775. Voted it expedient to fortify Hog- 
pen Point, and chose a committee to oversee the business." 
This point is in Seekonk, and traces of the fortification are still 
to be seen. 

"January 1, 1776. The town voted to raise the sum of 
£118 ll5. to procure a town stock of powder and small arms." 

" February 12, 1776. Voted to encourage the manufacturing 
of saltpetre in private families, by affording them the materials 
they can get without doing damage." 

Considerable quantities of saltpetre, it is said, were manufac- 
tured in the town during the period of the revolution ; and a 
manufactory was set up near the Cove Factory, in Seekonk, for 
the purpose of making it. 

" April 14, 1774. Voted to raise a bounty of £20 to every 
soldier that shall enlist into the continental army, for three 
years, or during the war, provided they enlist into the said army 
within ten days." This bounty, by vote of the town, May 19, 
1777, was extended to every soldier that had enlisted for the 
same term, since the former vote, or who should enlist within 
twenty days of the last date. And by another vote, passed 
June 30th, the same bounty was farther extended to all who 
should enlist into the continental army within two months from 
that date. 

"May 18, 1778. Voted to raise the sum of £720, for the 
raising of soldiers for the continental army, for nine months." 

" September 7, 1778. Voted to grant the sum of £463 45. 
for clothing, purchased by the selectmen, agreeable to an order 
of Court, for the continental soldiers that enlisted into the 
service." 

"' April 19, 1779. A committee was appointed by the town, 
to provide for the soldiers' families." 

" May 5, 1779. Voted that the sum of £1200 be raised by 
a tax, this spring, and paid into the town treasury, to be order- 
ed out of said treasury by the selectmen, to the committee that 
take care of the soldiers' families, if needed." 



148 HISTORY OF REIIOBOTII. 

" May 19, 1779. Voted to raise the sum of £3,000 for 
providing men, when called for from the authority, to go into 
the service as soldiers." 

"October 23, 1780. Voted to raise the sum of £26,400 
for the purpose of raising the town's quota of beef." This 
quota was 42,106 pounds. These immense sums were required 
to be raised, in consequence of the great depreciation of the 
value of the paper currency issued by the Continental Con- 
gress.* The whole amount of money raised by the town, this 
year, for its necessary charges, was the sum of £50,527 45. 

" April 1, 1782. Voted that the town treasurer be instruct- 
ed to sell the new emission money, three dollars for one hard 
dollar." 

This year, from the town, " The Hon. John Hancock had 23 
votes for Governour," and "Doct. Joseph Bridgham had 11 
votes for Governour." 

From the " Journals and Resolves of Massachusetts," we 
glean the few following additional particulars respecting the 
number of men, he. to be furnished by Rehoboth, at several of 
the different times, when drafts of men were called for: — For 
the re-enforcement, voted to be raised in Massachusetts, and 
" sent to the camp at Cambridge or Roxbury, as his Excellency 
General Washington shall direct," the proportion of Rehoboth 
was 74 men. The proportion of Rehoboth of the men, raised 
by Massachusetts " for filling and completing the fifteen battal- 
ions of continental troops," was 24. Rehoboth's proportion of 
the men to be raised " for re-enforcing the continental army," 
according to a resolve passed June 8, 1779, was 22. In 1781, 
Massachusetts was ordered to raise 4,626,178 lbs. of beef, of 
which the proportion of Rehoboth was 42,106 lbs. Of the 
4,726 men voted to be raised by Massachusetts, June 1780, for 
three months, for re-enforcing the continental army, the propor- 
tion of Rehoboth was 60. 

We shall conclude this sketch of the revolutionary affairs of 
the town, by giving the names, as far as practicable, and time 
of service of those who were drafted or enlisted into the army, 
during the revolution, together with such trifling sketches of 



* Congress iirst issued bills of credit in June, 1775. At the end of eighteen 
months they began to depreciate. Towards the close of 1777, the depreciation 
was two or three dollars for one ; in ]778, five or six for one ; in 177!), twenty- 
seven or twenty eight for one ; in 1780, fifty or sixty for one ; soon to one 
hundred and fifty for one, and finally several hundreds for one. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



149 



their services as could be obtained. The names are given pre- 
cisely as found in the pay and muster rolls, and returns, &.c. now 
in the State House of Massachusetts.* 

" A muster roll of Capt. Samuel Bliss's company of minute 
men, from Rehoboth, from the 19th of April to the 27th, — each 
eight days service : 



Samuel Bliss, Capt. 
Aaron Walker, Lieut. 
Joseph Allen, Ensign, 
Aaron Read, Sergeant, 
James Bullock do. 

Noah Allen, do. 

Christopher Ormsbee, do. 
Nathan Wheeler,f 
Jonathan Nash, 
Elijah Perry, 
Peter Read, 
John Brown, 
Samuel Munroe, 
William Fairbrother, 
Benjamin Comer, 
William Allen, 
Oliver Jones, 
Samuel Allen, 
Joseph Ingals, 
Thomas Campbell, 
John Dryer, 



t 



Nathan Turner, 
Nathaniel Turner, 
Ephraim Bliss, 
Levi Lewis, 
Valentine Wheeler, 
Jonathan Macomber, 
Abel Hix, 
Preserved Bullock, 
'Laben Lake, 
Jonathan Drowne, 
Ezekiel Hix, 
Joseph Allen, 
Jacob Fuller, 
Comfort Stanley, 
Oliver Peck,,**—' 
Amos Bliss, 
Philip Peck, - 
Solomon Peck, — " 
Elnathan Lake, 
Josiah Perry, 
Ichabod Wade." ^ 



Christopher Blanding, 
"A muster roll of Capt. John Perry's company 
men, from 19th of April, to the 27th, 1775: 



of minnit 



John Perry, Capt. 
John Paine, Lieut. 
James Bucklin, Ensign, 
John Wilson, Sergeant, 
John Smith, do. 

Miles Shorey, 
Aaron Lyon, 
Preserved Abell, 



Caleb Walker, 
James Hill, 
William Bridgham, 
Richard Fairbrother, 
Jonathan Read, 
Samuel Jones, 
Enos Walker, 
Amos GofF, 



* For a copy of these rolls I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Eleazer 
Homer, of Boston, 
t Those to whose names no title is affixed, in these lists, are private soldiers. 



150 



HISTORY OP REHOBOTH. 



Comfort Hill, 

Wm. Ingraham, 

Lemuel Perin, 

Demos Bishop, 

James Campbell, 

Peter Whitaker, 

Ezra Read, 

John Williams, drummer, 

Isaac Fuller, 

Joseph Wheaton, 
The following'is a list of the 
er's regiment, enlisted for eight 
1775. Col. Walker belonged 
his officers : 



Jonathan Barney, 

Simeon Bowen, 

John Ingraham, 

Elkanah French, 

Barzaleel Bowen, 

James Medbury, 

Robert Abell, 

Elezer Bowen, 

Amos Read, 

William Carpenter." 
officers in Col. Timothy Walk- 
months from April and May of 
to Rehoboth, and also a part of 



Timothy Walker, Esq. Col. 
Nathaniel Leonard, Lieut. Col 



Staff Officers. 

Abiel Mitchell, Major. 



John Perry, 
Samuel Bliss, 
Silas Cobb, 
Francis Liscomb, 
Blarcy Williams, 



John Paine, 
Aaron Walker, 
Isaac Smith, 
Matthew Randall, 



Captains. 

Peter Pitts, 
Caleb Richardson, 
John King, 
Oliver Soper, 
Samuel Tubbs, jun. 

Lieutenants. 

Samuel Lane, 
Zebedee Raiden, 
Enoch Robinson, 
Noah Hall. 



Mason Shaw, 
Jacob Fuller, 
Daniel Parker. 



Simeon Cobb, 
John Shaw. 



Thomas Williams, 
Joel Tubbs. 



Ensigns. 

John Cook, 
Henry Briggs, 
Solomon Stanley, 
Abraham Hathaway. 

The following are lists of two companies in this regiment 
from Rehoboth : 

" A list of men under Capt. Samuel Bliss, who enlisted for 



Thomas Bucklin, 
Joseph Allen, 
Isaac Fisher, 
Seth Pratt, 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



151 



eight months from April and May, 1775, in Colonel Timothy 
Walker's regiment. 



Samuel Bliss, Capt. 
Aaron Wheeler, Lieut 
Joseph Allen, Ensign, 
Aaron Read, Sergeant, 
James Bullock, do. 
Noah Allen, do. 

Christopher Ormsbee, do. 
Nathaniel Bliss, Corporal, 
Nathan Wheeler, do. 
Jonathan Macomber, do. 
Elijah Perry, do. 

James Wheeler, drummer, 
Cyriel Smith, fifer, 
Joseph Allen, 
Samuel Allen, 
William Allen, 
Ephraim Bliss, 
Charles Bliss, 
David Bliss, 
Levi Baldwin, 
Thomas Baldwin, 
Preserved Bullock, 
Isaac Burr, 
Samuel Baker, 
Christopher Blanding, 



Eliphalet Corbin,* 
James Cole, 
Thomas Campbell, 
John Dryer, 
William Fairbrother, 
Simon GofF, 
Abel Hix, 
Joseph Ingals, 

* Ide, -- 

Oliver Jones, 
Labin Lake, 
Levi Lewis, 
Samuel Munroe, 
Jonathan Nash, 
David Perry, 
Sylvester Peck, 
Peter Read, 
Nathaniel Round, 
Richard Round, 
Comfort Robinson, 
David Turner, 
Nathan Turner, 
Valentine Willmot, 
Jonathan Drown." 



" This roll," says a note appended to it, " was made up to 
the 1st of August, 1775, and paid by the State, and afterwards 
was paid by the United States for the other five months." 

Samuel Allen was the only one that deserted from this com- 
pany : he deserted June 27, 1775. 

" A muster roll of the company under command of Capt. 
John Perry, in Col. Timothy Walker's regiment [torn off] to 
the first of August, 1775, enlisted for eight months : 

John Perry, Capt. John Willson, Serg't. 

John Paine, Lieut. John Smith, do. 

James Bucklin, Ensign, Miles Shorey, do. 



* Some of these names were very diflkull to decipher, and some impossible. 
I have retained the orthography. 



152 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



Robert Sutton, do. 
Amos GofF, Corp'I. 
Lemuel Perrin, do. 
James Hill, do. 
David Lawrence, do. 
John Williams, drummer, 
James Bly, fifer , 
Preserved Abell, 
James Alger, 
George Allen, 
Squire Allen, 
William Bridgham, 
Demos Bishop, 
Isaac Bowers 
Charles Bovvers, 
Asa Bowers, 
Gideon Brown, 
Sylvester Bowers, 
Jonathan Barney, 
Rufus Bucklin, 
Josiah Blake, 
Barzilla Bowen, 
Barzaleel Bowen, 
James Campbell, 
Thomas Cole, 



Shubel Chaffee, ■ 
William Daggett, 
Richard Fairbrother, 
Isaac Fuller, 
Wm. Fuller, 
Jonathan French, 
Sylvester Fuller, 
Jonathan Hays, 
Stephen Hill, 
Comfort Hill, 
Wm. Ingraham, 
Samuel Jones, 
Aaron Lyon, 
John Medbury, 
John McMullen, 
Amos Richardson, 
Ezra Read, 
Enos Walker, 
Peter Whitaker, 
Joseph Wheaton, 
John Walker, 
Peter Walker, 
Caleb Walker, 
Epliraim Whitaker." 



In September of 1776, a regiment was raised in this town 
and some of the adjoining towns, and marched under the com- 
mand of Col. Thomas Carpenter of Rehoboth, to join the army 
of Washington at White Plains. They arrived there some time 
before the battle ; but I have been informed by one of the regi- 
ment, that they were not present in the action, but distant a few 
miles, drawn up under arms, in momentary expectation of orders 
to march to the scene of battle. 

Previous to the battle of White Plains, a trifling skirrrish 
occurred between a small detachment of the British and Col. Car- 
penter's regiment, a few particulars of which I had from the 
surgeon's mate, * who was present and witnessed it. Col. Car- 
penter's regiment were stationed on a gently elevated hill, to 
watch the movements of a detachment of the British army 



* These facts I had from my grandfather, the late Doct. James Bliss of Re- 
hoboth, who performed the duty of surgeon's mate in this regiment. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 153 

which was in the vicinity, (Unfortunately I am able to give 
neither the date nor place of this skirmish.) About one o'clock, 
P. M. a part of this detachment, considerably superior to Col. 
Carpenter's men in numbers, was seen in motion towards them. 
They advanced with " quick step," and, displaying the most 
exact discipline in their movements, formed themselves into a 
line in front of our regiment, and halted within convenient mus- 
ket shot. The British commenced the fire, and a few shots 
were exchanged on both sides, without serious injury to either. 
Three of Col. Carpenter's men, however, were slightly wound- 
ed. The British then returned by as rapid a movement as 
they came, having been apprised by " the tories," of the ap- 
proach of a large division of the American army under Gener- 
al Lincoln.* " On the approach of the British," says my in- 
formant, " I never saw so many pale faces in my life, or heard 
so many and so importunate complaints of unfitness for duty ; 
but the moment they began to retreat, courage revived, and all 
hearts were strong and brave. Some ran from the ranks in 
pursuit of the enemy at whose approach they had just now 
quailed, and continued to follow them for some distance, loading 
their pieces and discharging them upon them. One soldier by 
the name of Fuller, (if I mistake not,) who was the foremost of 
those in pursuit, coming up with two British soldiers who were 
just leaving a house, in which they had delayed to obtain refresh- 
ments, and levelling his musket at them, called out to them in 
a most determined tone, " throw cloivn your gims, or I'll shoot 
you through." They, whether from fear or other motives, in- 
stantly obeyed ; and Fuller, in all the joy and pride of triumph, 
led back two gigantic British prisoners to the colonel. Colonel 
Carpenter, surveying the Goliath-like dimensions of the prison- 
ers, and contrasting them with the inferior stature of their captor, 
inquired of Fuller, how he managed to take them ? " Why, 
Colonel," answered he very good humouredly, '^ I surrounded 
them.'^ 

Col. Carpenter's regiment were out on service at this time 
only three months. One of the companies in this regiment, 
was raised partly in Attleborough and partly in Norton, and was 
under the command of Capt. Elisha May f of the former town. 

* There must have been a mistake in the name, for Gen. L. did not join 
Washington's army till the next year, 
t Daggett's Hist, of Attleborough, p. 82. 
20 



154 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

From the time that the British first took possession of Rhode 
Island, in December, 1776, till they finally evacuated it, — a 
period of more than two years, the militia of this town and 
vicinity were subject to frequent diafts of men, and were fre- 
quently called out on alarms. Drafts were made in January, 
February, March, May, June, July and August, of the year 
1777. The men were stationed principally at Rowland's Fer- 
ry, (Tiverton) and at Warwick. One company, if not more, 
marched from this town to Rhode Island, in Oct. 1777, and 
served one month in Spencer's " secret expedition." 

In Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island, in August, 1778, 
Col. Carpenter, with a large detachment of his regiment, march- 
ed to join Sullivan's army on the Island, and distinguished them- 
selves for their bravery. The following is a copy of the orders 
issued by the Council of Massachusetts to Cols. Hawes, Car- 
penter, Daggett, Hathaway, Sproat and Wilhams, at this time,, 
for a draft of men. 

"State of Massachusetts Bay. 

" Council Chamber, Aug. 18th, 1778. 

" Whereas Major General Sullivan has represented to this 
board, that by reason of the absence of the French troops, 
which he expected would cooperate with him, he is in pressing 
need of a re-inforcement : therefore 

" Ordered, That the following Colonels be, and are, hereby 
directed to detach from their respective regiments the several 
numbers of men hereafter mentioned, and form them into com- 
panies of sixty-eight men each, including one captain, two sub- 
alterns, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer and one 
fifer, and see that they be equipped, armed and accoutered as 
the law directs, and order them to march immediately to the 
island of Rhode Island, and there to do duty during the cam- 
paign on said Island, viz : from Col. Hawes' regiment, one hun- 
dred and fifty men, including officers and one major ; from Col. 
Carpenter's regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including of- 
ficers ; from Col. Daggett's regiment, one hundred and fifty 
men, including officers and one colonel; from Col. Hathaway's 
regiment, one hundred and fifty men, including officers and one 
lieutenant colonel ; from Col. Sproat's regiment, one hundred 
and fifty men, including officers ; from Col. WiUiams' regiment^ 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 155 

one hundred and fifty men, including officers ; and make return 
to the council without loss of time. 

" A true copy, 
Attest, John Avery, D'y Sec'y." 

Col. Carpenter was in the action on Rhode Island, Aug. 29, 
1778, and was distinguished for his activity and bravery. It 
is said, when the Americans advanced to the first charge, that 
Col. Carpenter pushed on the charge with so much bravery, 
that the enemy, opposed to him, gave back, and he was drawn so 
far in advance of the army, that the British made an attempt, by 
despatching a division around the side of a hill opposite to him, 
to attack him in the rear, and cut him off from the main army ; 
but that being apprised of his danger by one of the aids * of 
General Sullivan, he very dexterously managed to fall back in 
good order, with the line of the main army, and thus, probably, 
avoided falling into the hands of the enemy. Several of the 
soldiers of Col. Carpenter's regiment, belonging to Rehoboth, 
were slain in this action. The names of three of them were, 
Medbury, Peck, and John Dryer. These three fell on one 
spot. Benjamin Smith, of Svvansey, was wounded by the 
bursting of a bomb-shell. 

From the " list of the six months men, raised to re-inforce 
the continental army, in the year 1780," we have the following 
list of names from Rehoboth : they marched to West Point, and 
served under continental officers. 

Peter Bannister, in the 11th division., Francis Fuller, in the 11th division. 

Jonathan Robinson, do. 'Arthur Thnrber, do. 

Comfort Bishop, do. Nathan Turner, (serg.) do. 

'\ Shubael Peck, (fifer) do. Gideon Brown, do. 

Sylvanus Bishop, do. Samuel Cranston, do. 

jf ^^-sr Nathan Monroe, do. Francis Mesuzen, do. 

Job Freeman, do. Samuel Edwards, do. 

Constant Perry, do. Nathan Walker, in the 12th division. 

Joseph Daggett, do. Ephraim Read, do. 



Jacob Ingalls, do. Samuel Shorey, do. 

John Pierce, do. Obed Robinson, do. 

Isaac Bowen, do. Remembei- Carpenter, do. 

Thos. Pierce, do. Timothy Titus, do. 

Ephraim Emerson, do. Jesse Whitaker, do. 

*The person who related to me this anecdote, and who was an eye witness 
of the scene, said that this aid, just as he had given his orders, and was leaping 
his horse over a fence to aid Col. Carpenter in conducting his retreat, was 
struck with a musket ball in his forehead, and fell lifeless from his horse. Th^ 
name lie did not recollect. 



156 



HISTORY OF KEHOBOTH. 



Ezra GofF, in the 12th division. 
Benjamin Tupp, do. 
Tlios. Campbell, in the 32d do. 
Spencer Bears, do. 

Cato Hunt, (negro) do. 
John Healy, do. 



David, (negro) in the 32d division. 
John McLean, do. 

Obadiah Bowen, do. 

Ephraim Bowen, do. 

Tho. Carpenter, 2d, do." 



The following alphabetical list of the names of those who 
enlisted into the continental army, from Rehoboth, at various 
periods of the war, with the names of the captains under whom 
they served, and the time for which they enlisted, will close this 
brief sketch of our revolutionary afi'airs. This list is taken 
from the " alphabetical list of enlistments for the continental 
army, from various towns and for various periods." 



Names. 


Capts. 


Time. 


Names. Capts. Time. 


Barney Nathaniel, 


Slade 


3 yrs. 


Campbell Thos. Carpenter, 3 yrs. 


Brown Benjamin, 


do. 


during 


Chaffee Shubael, do. dur'g war. 






the war. 


Chaffee Comfort, do. 3 yrs. 


""Bliss Samuel * 


do. 


3 yrs. 


Chaffee Noah, do. do. 


Bliss Alien, 


Cole, 


do. 


Carpenter William do. do. 


Bliss Samuel, jr. 


do. 


do. 


Campbell John, do. do. 


Bliss Joshua, 


do. 


do. 


Cor])s John, do. do. 


Brown Daniel, 


do. 


do. 


Dryer Israel, Cole, do. 


-Bullock Comfort, 


do. 


do. 


Dryer Jonathan, Cole, 3 yrs. 


Bullock Jacob, 


do. 


do. 


Deland Edward, Carpenter, do. 


Buffington Benjam 


n, do. 


do. 


Franklin William, do. during war. 


Bullock David, 


do. 


15 mo. 


Fuller Amo?, Cole, 3 yrs. 


Bullock Jonathan, 


do. 


do. 


Fairbrother Rich'd, Carpenter, do. 


BIy James, Carpenter. 3 yrs. 


Gladding James, Hix, do. 


Burn Moses, 


do. 


do. 


Gladding James, jr. do. do. 


Bicknell Turner, 


do. 


do. 


Gladding Ebenezer, do. do. 


Barney Paul, 


do. 


do. 


Goff Israel, do. do. 


Bliss Elisha, 


Maitii] 


. do. 


Greenwood Thomas, Hill, do. 


Bliss David, 


do. 


do. 


Horton William, Bullock, do. 


Baker Samuel, 


do. 


do. 


Hicks Chase, do. 15 mo. 


Bishop Oliver, 


Hull, 


do. 


Hiudel John, Carpenter, during 


Bowen Isaac, 


do. 


do. 


war. 


Bowen Thomas, 


do. 


8 mo. 


Hill Stephen, Hill, 3 yrs. 


Carpenter John, 


Hix, 


3 yrs. 


Ingalls Joseph, Hix, do. 


Cole Isaac, 


Cole, 


do. 


Ide Nathan, Carpenter, do. 


Cole Jacob, 


do. 


do. 


Jones John, Bullock, do. 


Cole James, 


do. 


do. 


Lewis Levi, Hix, do. 


Cole Zephaniah, 


Bullock, 15 mo. 


Lyndley John, jr. Bullock, do. 



* Samuel Bliss, who afterwards bore the title of Captain, was General 
Washington's steward at Morristown, in the winter of 1777. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



157 



Names. 



CaptSi Time. Names 



Lyon Aaron, 


Bullock, 


3 yrs. 


Sage James, 


Cole, 


3 yrs. 


Medbury Ben. 


Franklin 


, do. 


Turner Constant, 


Hix, 


do. 


Michell , 


Bullock, 


do. 


Turner Amos, 


do. 


do. 


McMelleu John, 


Hill, 


do. 


Turner Nat. 


do. 


do. 


Negro Caesar, 


Cole, 


do. 


Thresher Noah, 


Bullock, 


do. 


Newton Francis, 


Bullock, 


do. 


Thresher Joseph, 


do. 


do. 


Newton John, 


Martin, 


do. 


Thompson Edwar 


d, do. 


do. 


Ormshee Joseph, 


do. 


do. 


Thresher Charles, 


do. 


do. 


Peck Sylvester, 


Hix, 


8 mo. 


Turner Allen, 


do. 


do. 


Perry Samuel, 


Cole, 


3 yrs. 


True Solomon, 


Hix, 


do. 


Pierce Jesse, 


Bullock, 


do. 


Whittaker Nat. 


Franklin 


do. 


Peck Gains, 


Carpenter, 


during 


Wheeler Sam. 


Hix, 


do. 






war. 


Wheeler Jesse, 


do. 


do. 


Perry Jesse, 


do. 


do. 


Willmarth Valentine, do. 


do. 


Pearce Philip, 


IVIartin, 


do. 


Willmarth Benj. 


do. 


8 mo. 


Perry Samuel, 


Hill, 


8 mo. 


Waldren James, jr 


. Bullock, 


3 yrs. 


Round John, 


Hix, 


3 yrs. 


Whittaker Jo. 


Carpente 


r, do. 


Round Isaac, 


Cole, 


do. 


Wheeler James, 


Martin, 


do. 


Round Wm. 


Bullock, 


do. 


Whelen Luther, 


Bullock, 


]5 mo. 


Round Oin, 


Martin, 


do. 


White Jabez, 


Hix, 


3 yrs. 


Renough Charles 


Hill, 


do. 


Walker Nathan, 


do. 


do. 


Ryle Nicholas, 


do. 


do. 


Wilford Nicholas, 


do. 


do. 


Reves Pompey, 


do. 


do. 


Weeks Moses, 


do. 


during 


Smith , 


Peck, 


do. 






war. 


Saunders Jesse, 


do. 


do. 


Wilson Jno. 


do. 


3 yrs. 


Smith Sam. 


Hix, 


do. 


Whittaker Rufus, 


do. 


do. 



Capts. Time. 



Affairs succeeding the Revolution. 



In 1784, the town voted, "in addition to the money ah'eady 
granted for schooling, £20 for a grammar school." 

"March 21, 1785. Voted to choose a committee to regu- 
late the fishery in the river, called Palmer's river." The fish 
caught here were shad, bass, and alevvives. Before the erec- 
tion of the dam across Palmer's river, at the Orleans Factory, 
shad and alevvives used to ascend the river as far as Rehoboth 
village. 

Rehoboth, in common with the other towns of the colonies, 
felt severely the pressure of the times which immediately suc- 
ceeded the war. The large drafts made on the town for men 
and money to carry on the war, the scarcity of money and the 
great depreciation in the value of the paper currency with which 
the officers and soldiers had been paid for their services, the in- 
crease of public and private debts, the decay of business, and 



158 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

the want of confidence in the government, overwhelmed the 
people with a multitude of embarrassments public and private, 
under which it seemed to them impossible to rise. These em- 
barrassments, which were styled ^' grievances/^ and which were 
the natural results of the long and protracted war through which 
they had just passed, were charged upon the government ; 
whence, too, they vainly looked for that relief, which could be 
found only in industry and economy. At the commencement of 
the war ever}^ sacrifice, required by the public good, was most 
cheerfully made, and every privation endured. The iron rod 
of tyranny was seen suspended over us, and all thoughts were 
lost in that of parrying the impending blow, and crippling the 
arm which threatened to deal it. But now, the danger being 
removed, that patriotism which had merged all interests in one, 
the general good, began to give place to views of private inter- 
est ; and the people, who had sacrificed long and nobly on the 
altar of liberty, now began to look for an answer to their vows, 
and to expect the immediate fruition of all those bright hopes 
which had started into existence anew on every mention of the 
sacred name of freedom. They looked for liberty, like the 
Hercules of fabled story, to strangle serpents in its cradle ; and 
to shower upon them, in its infant reign, all the blessings which 
its matured and experienced manhood has since been able to 
secure. In this they were disajjpointed. The state govern- 
ments were embarrassed with heavy debts, contracted by the 
war; and the general government, held together only by the 
frail and feeble tenure of the confederation, was ready to fall 
with the least internal commotion, and was, to all efficient pur- 
poses, powerless. This state of things, so different from what 
they had so long and so fondly anticipated from the return of 
peace and the establishment of their independence, the people 
charged upon the government, calhng in question both its ad- 
ministration and the principles of its constitution. The cries 
for reform were loud and vehement on every side, and a large 
party was formed hostile to the existing state government, who 
soon pushed their claims at the point of the bayonet. This par- 
ty was headed by Daniel Shays, from whom this opposition re- 
ceived the name of " Shays^ rehtlUon.''^ A majority of the 
people in Rehoboth, as will be seen from the votes passed by 
the town at this time, favoured the opinions of this party. 

"June 19, 1786. Voted to choose a committee to meet 
with other towns' committees, in the county of Bristol, in a 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 159 

county convention, to consult on the rights of the people of said 
commonwealth, and to petition the General Court for redress of 
grievances, or to take any other measures, that the convention, 
when met, shall judge to be the right of the people of this com- 
monwealth." The town chose for this committee Capt. Phanuel 
Bishop, Maj. Frederick Drown, and Mr. Willian\ Daggett." 

"December 25, 1786. The town voted tliat they wished to 
have an alteration in the present system of government in the 
commonwealth of Massachusetts, by a majority of 110 of what 
then voted." 

"January 22, 1787. Voted that the selectmen be in- 
structed to remove the powder and other town stock, that is 
now at Col. Thomas Carpenter's, as soon as conveniently may 
be." Col. Carpenter was a staunch friend of the government. 

The names of the following persons are registered in the 
tow-n records, as having taken the oath of allegiance to the com- 
monwealth, and delivered up their arms, during March of 1787. 
These men belonged to the party of Shays, and had probably 
taken arms against the government. 

Joseph Porter, Joseph Bowen, William Fairbrother, 

Sirfteon Round, James Cole, Laben Lake, 

Nathan Hix, 2d, Timothy Fuller, Nathaniel Thurber, 

Cyril S riii.h, Jacob Bliss, jr. Daniel Short, 

Hezekiah Smith, Square GofF, jr. James Bullock, 

Oliver Smith, Benjamin Monroe, ^Nathan Newman, 

Benjamin Bowen, Jabez Round, 3d, Samuel Carpenter, 
Jacob Cole, Charles Round, Jarvis Peck, 4 

Ezra Thayer, James Martin, Luke Bowen, 

Jacob Bliss, Isaac Burr, Asa Bowen, 

Israel Hicks, Laben Briggs. John Hopkins. 

Abiel Horton, Amos Cole, 

November 26, 1787. The town chose Capt. Phanuel Bish- 
op, Maj. Frederick Drown, and William Windsor, Esq. dele- 
gates to the State Convention, to meet at Boston, the second 
Wednesday of January, 1788, " to consult on the Federal 
Constitution, recommended by the late Federal Convention, 
which set at Philadelphia the summer past." 

This year "voted to raise £120 for schooling; £20 to be 
applied to the support of a grammar school." 

"March 17, 1788. Voted to provide a w'ork-house for the 
accommodation of the poor of this town." 



160 HISTORY OF REITOBOTH. 

The votes for Govemour, this year, were 102 for John Han- 
cock, and 263 for Elbridge Gerry. 

The same sum was raised for schools for the three succeeding 
years as in the preceding year, and £20, as before, yearly de- 
voted to the support of a gramniar school. 

April 2, 1792. The town raised for the support of schools, 
"including the Latin school," £150. Also "voted that the 
selectmen be empowered to procure such grammar schools as 
shall answer the law, in the different parts of the town, for 
learning the Latin and Greek languages." 

April 1, 1793. The town voted to raise for the support of 
schools, £150. 

" October 6, 1794. Voted that the treasurer of this town be 
directed to pay to each non-commisioned officer and soldier, 
raised for this town's quota of eighty thousand men, ordered by 
Congress to be raised, forty shillings each, when they are order- 
ed to march out of this town on a campaign, and forty shillings 
each to every man aforesaid, for every month they shall con- 
tinued in the camp, after one month from the time they shall 
march : the money to be paid in one month after their return 
from service." 

This army of " eighty thousand men " were raised to repel 
the threatened invasion of France ; and Washington was placed 
at their head. 

" February 24,1794. Voted to remonstrate with the Legis- 
lature of Rhode Island against a bridge being built over Kelley's 
Ferry, near Warren." 

May 6, 1795. A motion for petitioning the General Court, 
to incorporate the west precinct of Rehoboth into a separate 
town, was carried by vote in the negative. Voted to raise 
£175 for the support of schools, of which £25 was to be ap- 
propriated to a grammar school. 

In 1796, the town voted for the support of grammar, and 
common schools, ,^'666,66. The sum of ,^666 was thence 
raised yearly for the support of schools till 1804. In 1804, 
1805, and 1806, 1^*666,77 was raised for the same purpose; and 
in 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, ,|*700 was raised, and in 1811, 
$800. 

"The Fighting Town Meeting." 

A town meeting was held in May, 1811, which, from the 
violent measures to which party animosity gave way, has since 



I 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 161 

borne the appellation of " The Fighting Town Meeting." 
This disgraceful incident in our history would have been passed 
over in silence, if to have done so had been consistent with the 
character of a faithful historian, whose business it is to give not 
only the truth, but the whole truth. 

The following report, prepared by the committee on contested 
elections, appointed by the House of Representatives, furnishes, 
probably, the best account of this meeting which we can possi- 
bly obtain : this report will be therefore given entire. 



"Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 



" In the House of Representatives. 

''February 13, 1812. 

"The committee on contested elections, in the case of the 
remonstrance of Stephen Bullock and four hundred and three 
others, inhabitants of the town of Rehoboth, in the county of 
Bristol, against the election of Elkanah French, Caleb Abell, 
John Medbury, Sebra Lawton and Timothy Walker, returned as 
members of this House from said town, report — 

" That they find, that on the thirteenth day of May now last 
past, a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Rehoboth was 
holden in pursuance of a warrant, issued fourteen days before, 
for the choice of one or more representatives to the present 
General Court ; that, at this meeting, motions were made, sec- 
onded, and put, in order to obtain a decision on the questions, 
whether the town would send one representative or five repre- 
sentatives ; that the votes appeared to be so equally divided at 
the first trial, that the selectmen declared they could not decide 
on which side was the majority ; that afterwards it was agreed, 
that each voter in favor of sending five, should take by the 
hand a voter in favor of sending one, and march out of the 
house ;* and Capt. Cushing and Mr. Kennicut were appointed 
to count the files, and determine the question upon an inspection 
of those, on either side, who should be without partners ; that 

* This motion was made by Dr. James Bliss. 
21 



162 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH, 

after the said two gentlemen had counted two hundred and nine- 
ty-eight files, they were interrupted by Elkanah French, Esq, 
who told them it was impossible to decide the question in this 
mode, it being evident, as he said, there was a mistake, that the 
question was not understood, for he saw " republicans " on the 
side for sending one. It was observed by Capt. Gushing in 
reply, that there could be no mistake ; that they had already 
counted off five hundred and ninety six with correctness, and 
that, in a few minutes, the counting would be finished and a 
decision made ; but Mr. French persisted in his interference^ 
took Capt. Gushing aside, and they were in conversation for 
some time. In the mean while, many thinking the counting was 
finished, left their places, and went into the meeting-house to 
hear the result declared, and shortly after, all the others follow- 
ed ; the selectmen, on being called upon to declare the result, 
observed, they could not decide, for the counting was not com- 
pleted. It appears there were from fifteen to twenty -five per- 
sons without partners, and that these fifteen to twenty-five con- 
stituted the majority for sending one representative ; but wheth- 
er this fact was known by the selectmen, the committee cannot 
determine. After these ineffectual attempts to obtain a decision 
on either question of sending one or five, it appears, that a 
motion for dissolving the meeting, and a motion for its adjourn- 
ment to Saturday, the eighteenth day of the same May, were 
regularly made, and submitted to the freemen for their decision. 
On the house being polled, the selectmen declared there were 
331 for dissolving the meeting, and 327 for adjourning until 
Saturday ; and there being a majority of four for dissolving the 
meeting, it was dissolved accordingly. 

" The committee further find, that on the next day, (to wit, 
on the ] 4th of the same May,) the selectmen, upon a petition 
signed by fifteen inhabitants, issued their warrants for a town 
meeting, to be holden on Saturday the 18th day of the same 
month, at 12 o'clock, noon, at the east meeting-house, for the 
purpose, as expressed in the warrant, of sending one or more 
representatives to the General Gourt ; that notifications to that 
effect were given verbally, or by reading copies of the warrant 
by the constables to the inhabitants they found at home, or met 
in the highways ; and when an officer did not find a voter at his 
home, and had not met him elsewhere, he stated verbally the 
purpose and time of the meeting to the wife, or other person or 
persons he found at the domicil of the qualified voter. It ap- 
pears that notifications were not posted at the meeting-house, 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. li63 

and no public day intervened from the issuing the warrant until 
the time of the meeting. The committee also find, that the 
uniform manner of calling town meetings in Rehoboth, for fifty- 
two years last past, has been by posting notifications at each 
meeting-house in said town, so long before the intended meet- 
ing, as to have two public days intervene between the time of 
posting up the notifications and the time of the meeting, and that 
this mode was never deviated from until the present instance. 

" The committee further find, that at the meeting on the 18th 
of May, immediately after the petition and warrant were read, a 
motion was regularly made and seconded, that the town should 
send one representative and no more ; and immediately follow- 
ing this motion, another was made and seconded to send five ; — 
that Elkanah French, Esq. (the presiding selectman at this 
meeting) declared in a loud voice as follows — "I will hear none 
of your motions, and I will put none of your motions. I will 
manage this meeting according to my own mind. If you do not 
like my proceedings, or if I do wrong, prosecute me ; bring in 
your votes for from one to five representatives." That at the 
time the first motion was made, or the instant before, a voter 
put his ballot into the box ; and this voter swore to his bleeif, 
that his vote was in, the moment previous to the first motion 
being made. 

" The committee further find, that the meeting was unusually 
orderly and quiet, until the declarations of refusal to put motions 
were made by said French as aforesaid ; that, consequent upon 
those declarations, much confusion and tumult ensued ; some 
insisting that the motions should be put and decided before any 
votes were received ; others insisting upon voting, and others, 
that they should not vote ; and in some instances, personal con- 
tests arose between the voters, and blows were given ; that the 
selectmen ordered one person, who appeared to them to be the 
most riotous, to be carried out of the meeting by the peace of- 
ficers, and he was by them carried out without any resistance 
being offered them, excepting that made by the individual him- 
self; that most of the tumult and confusion was immediately in 
front of the seat of the selectmen ; that the presiding selectman 
repeatedly called for order, and declared, that unless there was 
order, he would turn the box in five minutes ; that for a short 
time after the tumult commenced, the noise was so great, that it 
was with difficulty either the moderator or any other person 
could be heard. 



164 tilSTORY OF REHOBOTH-^ 

" The committee also find, that when six or eight ballots were' 
in the box, a motion was made and seconded for an adjourn- 
ment of the meeting for half an hour, afld reasons in support of 
the motion were assigned to this effect: — "That it was evident 
there was much agitation and confusion in the meeting, caused 
by the refusal to put the former motions ; that the question 
"how many representatives the town would send," had, at all 
previous town meetings, been submitted for decision to the free- 
men as a matter of course ; that a refusal in this instance, was 
altogether unexpected, and considered by many as a gross in- 
fringement of the rights of the people, and that an adjournment 
for a short period would give opportunity for tumult to subside, 
passions to cool, and the electors to vote with regularity." This 
motion also was, by the said Elkanah French, utterly refused to 
be put. He declared he would not put it, and ordered the 
mover to sit down and hold his tongue. 

" The commitee further find, that the presiding selectman or- 
dered the aisles to be cleared, and repeated his calls for order^ 
and for votes to be brought in ; and that he ordered the voters 
to come up the western aisle, vote, and then go down the east- 
ern aisle. They also find that the manner of the elector's voting 
at the east meeting-house has, uniformly, for twenty-two yearSy 
been, to come up the eastern aisle, vote, and then go down the 
western aisle ; that, consequently, the eastern aisle was very 
much crowded with voters, who were there in the expectation of 
passing up that aisle, voting, and of going down the western, as 
usual ; that when the order was given to go down the eastern 
and come up the western aisle, six or eight who had voted en- 
deavored to force themselves down the eastern aisle, and formed 
a phalanx at its head, which contributed to the confusion. 

" The committee further find, that after the presiding select- 
man had received a few ballots, Nathaniel Drowne, Esq. one of 
the selectmen, declared the town had a constitutional right to 
send six representatives r that upon this declaration, the said 
French turned the votes then received out of the box upon the 
table and ordered the voters to bring in their votes for from one 
to six representatives ; that after the voting had proceeded a 
short time under the last order, the said French took up the votes 
which had been turned out, and returned them to the box, and 
they were counted with the others. 

" The committee further find, that after the order was given 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH- 165 

as aforesaid, to bring in votes for from one to six representatives, 
votes to the number of six or seven were received by the select- 
men, and deposited in the ballot box ; which votes were not 
received directly from the hands of the voters, but were collect- 
ed by one Thomas Bowen, (after he had himself voted) from 
persons in the crowd, and were by him delivered to the afore- 
said Nathaniel Drowne, who put them into the box; that in 
other instances, votes were passed from hand to hand over the 
heads of voters, until they arrived at, and were deposited in the 
ballot box. 

" The committee further find, that the votes of five or six 
qualified voters were by them offered to the presiding select- 
man, and were by him refused to be received ; that, in most of 
these instances, no reasons were assigned for the refusal ; in one 
instance, he assigned as a reason, that he was about turning the 
box, and that he would not receive any more votes ; but after 
he had thus said, and thus refused, he did receive the votes of 
three persons, other than those he had refused as aforesaid, and 
then turned the box, and made declaration, that the whole num- 
ber of votes was twenty-five ; that Caleb Abell, John Med- 
bury, Sebra Lawton, Elkanah French, and Timothy Walker 
had 23 votes, and were chosen, and that Peter Hunt had two 
votes, and then left his seat ; and immediately Nathaniel 
Drowne, Esq. one of the selectmen, made declaration that all 
the above six were elected, and the meeting was dissolved. 

"The committee further find, that at the time the box was 
turned, the tumult and confusion had, in some degree, subsided, 
and that no assault or personal violence was made upon, nor of- 
fered to any of the selectmen, either in going to or returning 
from the meeting ; and that the authority vested in the select- 
men by the constitution and laws, was not wrested from them 
during the meeting. 

" The committee also find, that at the meeting and while the 
selectmen were calling for, and receiving votes, the leaf of the 
table of the Deacons' seat was violently broken down, and the 
breastwork of the pew pressed in toward the Selectmen, and 
blows were aimed over the heads of some persons at the presi- 
ding Selectman, which, in the opinion of the witness, adduced 
to this fact, would have reached him unless he had avoided 
them by reclining towards the pulpit. 

" The committee further find, that there were between six 
and seven hundred qualified voters present at the meeting, 



166 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

twenty-five of whom voted — and one witness testified that in 
his opinion, no more votes would have been given in ; but when 
it was demanded of the voters if their votes were in, the ans- 
wer No ! no ! was generally given ; that the time which elap- 
sed from commencing to receive votes, until the box was turned 
and the result declared, was not more than twelve minutes, and 
that the time from the opening to the dissolving of the meeting 
was twenty eight minutes, and that immediately after the disso- 
lution of the meeting, the aforesaid Elkanah French, Esq. upon 
some one expostulating with him on his conduct, openly declared 
he intended to manage the meeting according to his own mind, 
and that he had done it. 

" The committee have the honor to exhibit the above state- 
ment of all the facts which can be considered material ; long as 
it appears, it is as much condensed as possible from the mass of 
documents and evidence adduced in the case — and they feel 
themselves obliged respectfully to suggest, that in their very 
elaborate inquiry into, and minute and laborious investigation of 
the facts and circumstances attending this election, they have 
been actuated by an anxious desire to discharge their duty with 
great care and fidehty, in a case of much more than ordinary 
import, whether considered as affecting the rights of the people 
of this Commonwealth, the immunities of the large and respect- 
able town of Rehoboth, the privileges of the sitting members — 
or as affording precedents for the governing of towns in the ex- 
ercise of the elective franchise in the choice of representatives. 

" Upon mature consideration of the aforegoing facts, and a 
careful application of the principles of the Constitution and law 
to them, the committee report, that the su|)posed election of 
representatives to this House from said town of Rehoboth, on 
the eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thous- 
and eight hundred and eleven, is altogether void and of no 
effect, and consequently that the seats of Caleb Abell, John 
Medbury, Elkanah French, SebraLawton and Timothy Walker, 
Esquires, returned as members as aforesaid, be declared va- 
cated. 

" All which is respectfully submitted by order of the com- 
mittee. 

" Charles Davis, Chairman. 

"On the question, Shall this report be accepted? the yeas 
were 208, nays 181." 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 167 

Such are the details of this disgraceful town meeting. It has 
been repeatedly urged, and with reason, that, for the honour of 
the town, the record of this event should be suppressed, and not 
again be made public, to revive, perhaps, animosities that time 
had long since buried, and to garnish and perpetuate a monu- 
ment of disgrace. But it should be recollected, that history is 
a record of the past, for the instruction of the present and 
future ; and that valuable lessons may be drawn as well from 
the errors as from the virtues of mankind. A faithful chart will 
point out not only the path which should be pursued, but also 
the shoals which must be avoided. The report of the " Com- 
mittee on Contested Elections," being sufficiently minute, has 
been made use of in narrating this event, as not being liable to 
the charge of partiality, and involving no more personalities 
than are absolutely necessary in giving the leading facts. Much 
amusing anecdote might be given of the scuffle in the meeting- 
house, and of individual prowess, did not the recital necessarily 
lead too much to personalities. 



This meeting gave rise to the division of the town in 1812, 
the year succeeding, when the west part was incorporated into 
a separate township, with the name of Seekonk. 

The majority of the town, as appears from a vote passed 
February 3, 1812, opposed the division. The votes were 18 
for, and 328 against, the measure. At the same meeting also, 
James Ellis, Esq., and Mr. Thomas Kennicut, were chosen 
agents by the town to oppose, at the General Court, the divi- 
ding of the town. 

March 16, 1812. The town voted to raise ^400 for school- 
ing, and ^200 for military stores; and also voted " that the 
school money be divided according to the number of children 
(or inhabitants) under twenty-one years of age." 

In 1813, §400 were raised for schools, §100, for military 
stores, and §1200, for the support of the poor. In 1814, the 
same sums were raised for schools and for military stores. 

In 1815, §450 were raised for schools; and in 1816, 1817, 
and 1818, §600 were raised yearly for the same purpose. 

In 1819, the town " voted to raise §600 for grammar, and 
common schools, including money received for school land and 
the interest on school notes." 



168 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



The same sum was raised from the years 1820 to 1824 in- 
clusive, and has been about the average sum raised yearly since, 
though perhaps somewhat increased for the last few years. 

A list of the Deputies to the Court of Plymouth, and of the 
Representatives to the General Court of Massachusetts, with 
the names of the Town Clerks who have served the town at 
different periods, so far as they can be obtained, will close the 
civil history of Rehoboth. 



List of the Deputies to Plymouth Court from 
Rehoboth. 



1646, 
1647, 

1648, 

1649, 

1650, 

1651, 

1652, 

1653, 

1654, 

1655, 

1656, 

1657, 

1658, 

1659, 

1660, 

1661, 



Walter Palmer. 
j Walter Palmer, 
I Stephen Paiue. 
^ Robert Titus, 
I John Doggett. 
^ Robert Titus, 
( Stephen Paine. 
^ Robert Titus, 
( Stephen Paine. 
^ Stephen Paine, 
I Richard Bowen. 
{ Stephen Paine, 
I Thomas Cooper. 
^ Stephen Paine, 
I Thomas Cooper. 
^ Stephen Paine, 
I Peter Hunt. 
^ Stephen Paine, 
^ Peter Hunt. 
{ Stephen Paine, 
I William Carpenter. 
i Stephen Paine, 
I William Sabiu. 
^ Stephen Paine, 
I Thomas Cooper. 
J Stephen Paine, 
I William Sabin. 
\ William Sabin, 
I Peter Hunt. 
J William Sabin, 
) Peter Hunt. 



1662, 
1663, 
1664, 
1665, 
1666, 
1667, 
1668, 
1669, 
1670, 
1671, 
1672, 
1673, 
1674, 
1675, 
1676, 



Peter Hunt, 

Henry Smith. 
', Peter Hunt, 

Stephen Paine. 
I Peter Hunt, 
' Stephen Paine. 

Peter Hunt, 

Stephen Paine, 
i Stephen Paine, 
' Jams Brown, 
i Peter Hunt, 

Henry Smith. 

Peter Hunt, 

Henry Smith. 

Philip Walker, 

Nicholas Peck. . -'' 

Stephen Paine, 

William Sabin. 

Stephen Paine, 

William Sabin. 

Peter Hunt, 

Daniel Smith. 

Peter Hunt, 

Anthony Perry. 

Ensign Henry Smith, 

Daniel Smith. 

Ensign Henry Smith, 

Daniel Smith. 

Daniel Smith, 

Nathaniel Paine. 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



169 



1677, 
1678, 
1679, 
1680, 
1681, 
1682, 
1683, 
1684, 



< Nathaniel Paine, 
\ Daniel Smith. 

^ Daniel Smith, 
\ Nicholas Peck. 

< Nicholas Peck, -^ 
I Gilbert Brooks. 

< Nicholas Peck, "^ 
) Peter Hunt. 

\ Ensign Nicholas Peck, 
I Gilbert Brooks. 
I Ensign Nicholas Peck, 
I Capt. Peter Hunt. 

< Ensign Nicholas Peck, 
I Capt. Peter Hunt. 

J Lieut. Nicholas'Peck, 
> Gilbert Brooks,' 



Lieut. Nicholas Peck, 
Gilbert Brooks. 
Lieut. Peck, 
Gilbert Brooks. 



< Lieut. Nicholas Peck, 
( Samuel Peck. 

< Gilbert Brooks, 

I Christopher Saunders. 

< Christopher Saunders, 
I John Woodcock. 

^ Christopher Saunders, 
I Mr. Samuel Peck. • * 



List of Representatives to the General Court of 
Massachusetts. 



i«no # S Mr. Samuel Peck, "" \ 


1717, 


IWo, 


I Joseph Browne. 


1718, 


1694, 


Stephen Paine. 


1719, 


1695, 


Dea. Samuel Peck. 


1720, 


1696, 


Dea. Samuel Newman. 


172 . 


J 697, 


Dea. Samuel Newman. 


17J.i 


1698, 


Dea. Samuel Newman. 


u^:^, 


1699, 


John Hunt. 


1724, 


1700, 


Mr, John Peck. 


1725, 


1701, 
1702, 




1726, 
1727, 


Serj. Moses Reade. 


1703, 


Stephen Paine. 


1728, 


1704, 


Benjamin Allen. 


1729, 


1705, 


Col. Samuel Walker. 


1730, 


1706, 




1731, 


1707, 


John Brooks. 


1732, 


1708, 


Ensign Moses Reade. 


1733, 


1709, 


Mr. Daniel Smith. 


1734, 


1710, 


Ensign Timothy Ide. 


1735, 


1711, 


Mr:' Daniel Smith. 


1736, 


1712, 


Lieut. Noah Peck. 


1737, 


1713, 


Lieut. Moses Reade. 


1738, 


1714, 


Lieut. Moses Reade. 


17.39, 


1715, 


Lieut. Moses Reade. 


1740, 


1716, 


Capt. Moses Reade. 


1741, 



Mr. Nathan Browne. 
Mr. Daniel Smith, Esq. 
I ■■ iiiiel Carpenter, 
l^aniel Carpenter. 
Mr. Jethnial Peck. 
Mr. Jethnial Peck. ^ 
Mr. Jethnial Peck.— 
Mr. Francis Willson. 
Mr. Joseph Peck. 
Mr. Jethnial Peck. 
Mr. Jethnial Peck. 
Mr. Jethnial Peck. 
Mr. Jethnial Peck. ' 
Mr. Jathniel Peck. 
Mr. Jathniel Peck. 
Samuel Browne, Esq. 
Mr. James Bowen. 
Mr. James Bowen. 
Mr. John Hunt. 
Mr. Joseph Peck. 
Mr. James Bowen. 
Mr. Joseph Bosworth. 
Mr. Jonathan Kingsley. 
Mr. Joseph Peck. 
Mr. Daniel Barney. 



* Plymouth Colony was annexed to Massachusetts by the charter of Wil- 
liam and Mary, in 1692. 

22 



ITO 



HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 



1742, 

174:J, 
1744, 
1745, 
1746, 
1747, 
1748, 
1749, 
1750, 
1751, 
1752, 
1753, 
1754, 
1755, 
1756, 
1757, 
1758, 
1759, 
1760,. 
1761, 
1762, 
176;^ 
1764, 
1765, 
1766, 
1767, 
1768, 
1769, 
1770, 
1771, 
1772, 
1773, 
1774, 

1775, j 

1776, 
1777, 

1778, j 

1779, 

1780,. 

1781, j 

1782, 

1783, j 

1784, 
1785, 

1786, 

1787, . 



Capt. Joseph Wheaton. 
Mr. Daniel Barney. 
Capf. Dan. Cari)enter. 
Mr. Daniel JJarney. 
Mr. Daniel Barney. 
Mr. Daniel Barney. 
Dan. Carpenter, Esq. 
Mr. Daniel Barney. 
Mr. Nalhaniel Smith. 
Mr. Nathaniel Smith. 
Mr. Israel Nichols. 
Mr. Israel Nichols. 
Mr. Aaron Kingsley. 
Capt. Aaron Kingsley. 
Capt. Aaron Kingsley^ 
Capt. Timothy Walker. 
Ca{)t. Timothy Walker. 
Capt. Timothy Walker. 
Mr. Noah Sabin, jun. 
Mr. Noah Sabin, jim. 
Aaron Kingsley, Esq. 
Capt. James Clay. 
Capt. James Clay. 
Capt. James Clay. 
Capt. James Clay, 
Capt. James Clay. 
Capt. James Clay. 
Capt. James Clay. 
Capt. Joseph Barney. 
Capt. Joseph Barney. 
Capt. Joseph Barney. 
Capt. Joseph Barney. 



Mr. E|)li. Starkweather, 
Cajrt. Thomas Cai-penter. 



Mr. Eph. Starkweather, 
Col. Shubael Peck. 



Mr. S. Peck. " 
Shubael Peck, Esq. 
Mr. Daniel Carpenter. 
Capt. Stephen Bullock. 
Stephen Bullock, Esq. 
Daniel Carpenter, Esq. 
Stephen Bullock, Esq. 
Stephen Bullock, Esq. 
Stejjhen Bullock, Esq. 
Mr. Phanuel Bishop, 
Mr. Frederick Drown, 
' Mr. William Winsor. 



C Capt. Phanuel Bishop, 

1788, < Major Frederick Drowriy 
( Capt. John Bishop. 

1789, Major Frederick Drown,. 

1790, Major Frederick Drown. 

1791, Major Frederick Drown. 

1792, Hon. Phanuel Bishop. Esq. 

1793, Hon. Phanuel Bishop, Esq. 

1794, Phanuel Bishop, Esq. 

1795, Stephen Bullock, Esq. 

1796, Stephen Bullock, Esq. 

1797, Hon. Phanuel Bishop, Esq,^ 

1798, Phanuel Bishop. 

1799, Frederick Drowne. 

1800, Frederick Drowne. 

1801, Frederick Drowne. 

1802, Frederick Drowne. 

1803, Frederick Drowne. 

1804, Frederick Drown. 

1805, David Perry. 

1806, David Perry jun. 

1807, Elkanali French, jr. 

1808, Elkanah French, jun. 

1809, Peter Hunt. 

I' David Perry, 
Elkanah French, 

1810, «^ Timothy Walker, 

John Medbury, 
^ Sebray Lawton. 

f Elkanah French, 
Timothy Walker, 
John Medbury, 
I Sebray Lawton, 
(Caleb Abell. 
C Samuel Bliss, 
1812, ^ Hezekiah Martin, 
( Joseph Wheaton. 
C Hezekiah Martin, 
1813, } Joseph Wheaton, 
( Samuel Bliss, 2d. 

1814, Peter Carpenter. 

1815, Dr. James Bliss. 

1816, Dr. James Bliss. 

1817, Jeremiah Wheeler. 

1818, Thomas Carpenter, 2d. 

1819, David Perry. 

1820, Dr. James Bliss. 

1821, David Perry. 

1 822, none. 

1823, none. 

1824, Lemuel Morse. 



fllSTORT OF REHOBOTH. 



171 



3825, Lemuel Morse. 

1826, none. 

1827, Joseph Nichols. 

1828, Josepli Nichols, 
C Samuel Bullock, 

1829,^ Caleb Cushing, 
( Joseph Nichols. 
C Samuel Bullock. 

1830,^ Caleb Cushing, 
( Joseph Nichols. 



18.11, 
18t^2, 

i8a-{, 

1834, 
1835, 
183b', 



none. 

Lloyd Bosworth. 

Lloyd Bosworth. 

Lloyd Bosworth, 

Samuel Bullock. 

none. 

Capt. Richard Goff, Jr. 

Abel Hoar. 



List of Senators from Rehoboth. 



1781, Hon. Eph. Starkweather, Esq. 

1782, Hon. Eph. Starkweather, Esq. 

1783, Hon Eph. Starkweather, Esq. 
1788, Hon. Phanuel Bishop. 



1789, Hon. Phanuel Bishop. 

1790, Hon. Phanuel Bishop. 

1807, Hon. David Perry. 

1808, Hon» David Perry. 



Town Clerks. 

No Town Clerk is mentioned by nanie in the town records 
till the year 1651, when Peter Hunt was chosen to the office. 
But previous to this date the records appear to have been writ- 
ten by the same hand ; and it appears from various returns n.ade 
by the town clerk and on record at Plymouth, that the first who 
filled that office in Rehoboth was William Carpenter, and that 
lie retained it from the date of tlie commencement of the tovva 
records in October, 1643 till 1649, when Mr. Hunt was proba 
bly cho?en.* 

Richard Bowen was chosen town clerk in September, 1654; 
Richard Bullock, in January 1659, and agreed to perform the 
office "for 165. a year, and to be paid for births, burials, and 
marriages besides." William Carpenter (probably son of Wil- 
liam Carpenter who served at first,) was chosen town clerk in 
May, 1668, and served, with the exception of 1693, when 
Stephen Paine supplied his place, till March, 1703. Daniel 
Carpenter was chosen in 1703, and held the office 3 years. 
In March 1706 Daniel Smith was chosen, and in March 
1708 Daniel Carpenter was again chosen, and continued to fill 
the office till 1730. In 1730 Ezekiel Read was chosen, and 
continued in the office, with the exception of 1751, 1752, and 
1753, till 1762. In March 1762 Jesse Perrin was chosen, and 
continued till 1787. In March 1787 Lieut, (afterwards Capt.) 



•-See note, page 42. 



173 HISTORY or REHOBOTH, 

Philip Walker was chosen town clerk, and filled the office till 
1801, when Capt. Caleb Abell was chosen, and continued till 
the division of the town in 1812, when he fell within the limits 
of Seekonk, where he has since been continued in the same 
office. In 1812 James Blanding Esq. was chosen town clerky 
and has filled the office to the present time. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



The civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the town were, in the 
early part of our history, so inseparably interwoven, that we 
have already anticipated much of what properly belongs to 
this division. The history of the first established church in 
Rehoboth (now the First Congregational Church in Seekonk,) 
has already been much of it given : the remainder will be found 
under the history of Seekonk. Under this division will be 
given an account of the First Congregational Church in Reho- 
both (formerly the second), and of the numerous Baptist church- 
es which have at different times been organized here. 



First Congregational Church. 

In the year 1711 the inhabitants of the south-east part of the 
town, called the " Neighbourhood of Palmer's river," petitioned 
the General Court to have the town divided into two precincts, 
for the support of the ministry, and that each division support a 
minister. This measure the people in the other and older part 
of the town opposed by a petition which has been mentioned at 
page 134. In May, 1713, the General Court recommended to 
Rehoboth to raise £l20 for the support of two ministers, — one 
at Palmer's river. In 1717, the Court granted permission to the 
people at Palmer's river to build a meeting-house in their part 
of the town. This house was commenced in 1717, and stood 
on a small elevation about half a mile north-west of the Orleans 
factory : the spot is sometimes called now Burying-place Hill. 
■"^ Jethnial Peck,''Capt Samuel Peck, and Jonathan Bliss, gave, 
March 27, 1717, each an acre of land for the site of the meet- 
ing-house. The town relinquished, for their aid, £50 of the 
£250 which had been voted for the erection of a new meeting- 



174 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

house in the older part of the town. This grant was made, 
however, with the proviso, that the town should be freed from 
all further expense in erecting the Palmer's river meeting- 
house. The following individuals of the " Neighborhood of 
Palmer's river" entered into an engagement, in writing, to free 
the town, on the receipt of the £50, from all further expenses 
that might otherwise accrue to it from the building of the meet- 
ing-house : 

V Samuel Peck, Thomas Bliss, 

-Jethnial Peck, William Blanding, 

Joshua Smith, Daniel Blanding, 

Samuel Bliss, Solomon Peck, 

Lennox Beverly, Nathaniel Smith, 

Benjamin Willson, Joshua Smith, jr. 

Thomas Ormsbee, -~Ichabod Peck, 

Jonathan Bliss, Ephraim Millard, 

Samuel Whitaker, William Marten, 

Abraham Carpenter, Jacob Bliss. 
Solomon Millard, 

This congregation at Palmer's river received also, as a present 
from the " community " for erecting the new meeting-house in 
the west part of the town (now Seekonk,) the pulpit and the 
facing of the galleries of their old meeting-house. This new 
meeting-house was completed in 1720 or 1721 ; and a church 
was organized, November 29, 1721, consisting of ten members, 
(all males),* under the pastoral care of the Rev. David Turner, 
a native of Scituate. The business of the two churches and 
societies was, by vote of the town, of March 13, 1721, " man- 
aged by the town as the affairs of one church," and " the expen- 
ses of both were to be borne by the whole town." They con- 
tinued to be managed thus till the year 1759. Mr. Turner 
received for a settlement £100. His salary at first was £70 ; 
in 1728 it was increased to £100 : in 1736 it was £70; and in 
1739, £100. During his ministry, which continued about 
thirty-six years, one hundred and seventy persons were, by 

* Their names were, David Turner, (pastor,) Elisha May, Thomas Ormsby, 
(deacons,) Jethniel Peck, Samuel Peck, Benjamin Willson, Solomon Millard. 
Samuel Fuller, William Blanding, Joseph Willson. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 175 

profession and recommendation, added to the church.* Mr. 
Turner graduated at Harvard in 1718. On leaving the univer- 
sity, he first studied medicine, which he occasionally practised 
after entering the ministry. He was a man of talent, of much 
shrewd wit, but singular and eccentric. He had several chil- 
dren, who inherited their father's ready wit ; but his sons were 
in general profligate, and the name here is now extinct. He 
died August 9th, J 757, in the 63d year of his age, and was 
buried in his church-yard, the "Old Burying -place." His 
tombstone, which stands near the eastern side of the church- 
yard, about an equal distance from the north and south ends, 
bears the following inscription : 

" In Memory of 
the Reverend Mr. 
DAVID TURNER, 

Pastor of the Second 

Church in Rehoboth, 

who departed this 

Life on y® 9th Day of 

August, AD. i757, in 

y® 63d Year of his Age, 
" Watch and Pray because 
You know not the hour." 

In his last illness Mr. Turner sent for the Rev. Robert Roger- 
son, who had been employed to preach to his congregation since 
he had become incapable through illness and infirmities, and 
said to him : " Mr. Rogerson, I rejoice to find that the people 
are so well pleased with you and your preaching ; but you must 
remember that, though it is ' Hosanna ! ' ' Hosanna ! ' to-day 
it will be ' Crucify Mm!' • Crucify him!' to-morrow." 

He lived in the house where his successor, Mr. Rogerson, 
since lived, and where the family of the late Capt. John Roger- 
son, the son of the latter, now resides. 

This church and congregation was incorporated by an act of 
the General Court, passed January 2, 1759, into a separate 
society, by the name of "the Second Precinct in Rehoboth." 
The first meeting of the precinct was held February l^ih, of 

*For some of the facts given in the account of this church I am indebted to 
a sermon preached on its centennial anniversary by the Rev. Otis Thompson, 
its minister at that time. 



176 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

the same year, when William Bullock was chosen Precinct 
clerk, and Dea. Thomas Carpenter, Dea. Moulton, Stephen 
Moulton, Lieut. Ephraim Hunt, Capt. Nathaniel Bliss, and 
William Blending, Precinct Committee. 

February 26, 1759, the precinct concurred with the church 
in the choice of the Rev, Robert Rogerson for their minister, 
and voted to give him £75 settlement, to be paid in equal sums 
of £25 yearly, for three years, and £60 yearly for his regular 
salary. 

Mr. Rogerson was ordained over the church and society, July 
2, 1759. His salary varied from £60 to £93 yearly. 

March 18, 1773, the precinct " voted that the old meeting 
house should be sold, or pulled down, provided that a new one 
can be built upon the plaine near Timothy Readvvays."* 

May 9, 1773. " Voted to build a new meeting-house, 50 
feet long and 40 feet wide." " Likewise chose Capt. Thomas 
Carpenter, Capt. Joshua Smith, Mr. Daniel Bliss, jr. Mr. Isaac 
Brown, Mr. John Brown, 2d, Ensign Ezra Perry, Mr. Thomas 
Baldwin, Mr. Ephraim Bliss, Mr. Nathaniel Bliss, jr., a com- 
mittee to carry on and see to the building of the above meeting 
house. 

Thomas Carpenter, 3d, presented a plan for the meeting 
house, which was accepted, with some slight alterations. It was 
voted to sell the pews to the highest bidder; and, October 25, 
1773, they were sold at public auction, for between £5 and 
£15 each. 

In 1776 a large and valuable legacy was bequeathed to the 
precinct, in trust, for the support of the pastor of the church, 
iDy Lieut Ephraim Hunt. This bequest is supposed to have 
been worth about ^10,000. 

In 1792, an act was passed by the General Court, " to repeal 
an act, entitled ' An act to invest the Committtee of the Second 
Precinct in Rehoboth with corporate powers for certain purposes 
therein mentioned,' and to incorporate a number of the inhabit- 
ants of said Precinct, by the name of the Catholic Congrega- 
tional Church and Society in the second precinct in the town of 
Rehoboih." 

The Rev. Robert Rogerson, the second pastor of this church, 
died March 20, 1799, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. 

* Mr. Headway lived on the farm, since the residence of the late Dr. James 
Bliss. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 177 

He had been pastor about forty years, during which time thirty- 
six persons had been added to the church. 

Mr. Rogerson was the son of Robert Rogerson, and was born 
at Portsmouth (England), of a respectable fiimily; and at the 
age of four years was removed to London, where, or in the 
vicinity of which, he received his education ; but whether at 
Cambridge, or in the metropolis, is not ascertained. At the age 
of nineteen he came to America, as an assistant to a collector 
of the revenue, and in this capacity served one year in Virginia. 
After this he taught school for several years on the eastern 
shore of Virginia, prosecuting, in the mean time, the study of 
divinity. He then came to New England. In 1765 he receiv- 
ed the degree of Master of Arts at the university of Cambridge, 
Mass. He commenced his ministry at Brookline, where he 
preached one year. He then came to Rehoboth, and preached 
a year for the first Congregational church, in what is now See- 
konk. The year following he commenced preaching for the 
Congregational church in the west part of the town, and was 
ordained minister of this church, July 2, 1759. While preach- 
ing in what is now Seekonk, he became acquainted with, and 
married, the daughter of Col. Thomas Bowen of the same 
place, then Mrs. Betsey Sweet, a young widow with one child.* 
Their family numbered three sons and three daughters. The 
names of the sons were, Robert, Thomas, and John. Robert 
was for many years a respectable physician in Boston, and died 
a few years since in Attleborough. Thomas became a wealthy 
planter in Virginia, and died in 1833. Capt. John Rogerson, 
who lived on the paternal inheritance of his father, died in 1835. 
Of his daughters, Lydia, the eldest, now Mrs. Bullock, w^idow 
of Mr. Eleazer Bullock, late of Rehoboth, alone survives. 
Another daughter married Mr. Charles D'Wolf of Bristol, 
Rhode Island. 

Mr. Rogerson was a man of much learning, and faithful in the 
discharge of his duties as a minister and a christian. Under his 
ministry his church and society were prosperous and united. 

The successor of Mr. Rogerson was the Rev. Otis Thompson. 
He was born at Middleborough, (Mass.) Sept. 14, 1776, and 
graduated at Brown University in 1798. He was immediately 
appointed tutor in that institution, and filled the office two years. 

* Afterwards the wife of Capt. Joseph Wheaton of Rehoboth. She died in 
1835 at a very advanced age distinguished for her piety and christian virtues. 



178 HISTORY OF REHOBOl'li/ 

He then directed his attention to the study of divinity. On the 
death of Mr. Rogerson, after having supphed the pulpit as a 
candidate, one year, he was invited by the church and society 
to become their pastor, and was ordained September 24 j 1800. 
For a long time after his settlement, Mr. Thompson's services 
as a pastor and preacher were highly acceptable to his church 
and society, and no less succcessful and beneficial ; and a 
degree of union and harmony prevailed, which might have just- 
ly excited for this church the envy of many of its sister church- 
es. During the first twenty-one years of his ministry, seventy 
seven persons were added to the church. The total number of 
persons, that, in 1821, — a century from its organization, had 
been enrolled in the list of its members, v.as three hundred and 
three. The number of members in 1821 was fifty-six, of v<liom 
eighteen were males, and thirty-eight females.* The year 1800 
is noticed by Mr. Thompson in his century sermon, as a period 
of more than usual attention to the concerns and duties of reli- 
gion. Forty individuals were added to the church, which, consid- 
ering the the number of families then belonging to the society, 
which did not exceed fifty, was a great addition for one year. 

In 1825 the harmony of the church and society was disturbed 
by the commencement of a series of difficulties which have 
kept in a state of commotion the society and a majority of the 
town for much of the time since: but it is devoutly to be hoped, 
both for the honour and welfare of the town, that these difficul- 
ties are now at an end. The result of these dissensions was the 
exclusion of Mr. Thompson from his pastoral office. 

To give the history of these difficulties, in minute detail, 
would occupy too much space, and what might be devoted to 
better purposes ; and, in addition to this, their recent occur- 
rence, the personalities which their recital must involve, and 
the delicate circumstances of their origin, are a more than suf- 
ficient apology for passing them over briefly. 

Some unpleasant circumstances having occurred between Mr. 
Thompson and one of the members of the church, (or rather 
between their families), the other members of the church at- 
tempted a reconciliation, but to no purpose. For the breach 
continued daily to widen, and in a short time the whole church, 
with the exception of one member, who left, and joined a neigh- 
bouring church, had taken sides either with the pastor or with 

*Mr. Thompson's Century Sermon, p. 19. 



ECCLKSIASTICAL HISTORY. 179 

the member first mentioned. Two or three ecclesiastical coun- 
cils were called on the part of the members disaffected with Mr. 
Thompson, who decided that the pastoral relations between him 
and his church ouo;ht to cease. The society also voted "to 
dismiss the Rev. Otis Thompson from his pastoral relation with 
said society." The meeting-house was then closed against him, 
and another minister was procured by the society to supply their 
desk. Mr. Thompson continued to preach regularly every Sab- 
bath to a small number that assembled in a school-house near 
his residence, and finally brought an action against the society 
for the recovery of his salary from the time of his dismissal : 
the case was decided in his favour. At length an accommoda- 
tion was agreed upon between him and the society, he agreeing 
for the sum of .^1,000, to relinquish all further claims on the 
society. Attempts have since been made on the part of Mr. 
Thompson and his friends, but without success, to revive the old 
precinct, and wrest from the church and society a part or the 
whole of the funds which are now in their possession. The 
income of these funds is about adequate to the support of one 
minister. 

Mr. Thompson, at the time of his ordination, had 'a hun- 
dred pounds settlement,' and was to receive an annual salary of 
$350. In 1816 his salary was increased to ,f 500. 

Mr.Thom pson's first wife was Miss Rachel Chandler of 
Plympton (Mass.), who died Sept. 16, 1827, aged 47, and by 
whom he had four sons and five daughters. September 30, 
1828, he married Miss Charlotte Fales, of Bristol, R. I, Mr. 
Thompson has had, in years past, fifteen or twenty students in 
divinity, has had printed several funeral and ordination sermons, 
and published, about ten years since, " A Review of Mr. 
Andras's Essay on Divine Agency." He commenced the 
" Hopkinsian Magazine," a monthly of 24 pages 8vo., in Jan. 
1824, as sole editor and proprietor, and continued it with the 
omission of one year (1830), till the close of 1832, — making 
four large 8vo. volumes. 

The successor of Mr. Thompson, and the present pastor of 
the church, is the Rev. Thomas Vernon, a native of Newport, R, 
I., and son of the late Samuel Vernon. He graduated at Brown 
University in 1816, studied theology at Andover Seminary, was 
licenced to preach in 1822, and ordained over this church, Sep- 
tember 13, 1826. In 1831 he married Miss Adelaide A. Win 
throp, of Bristol, R. T. 



180 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

The church and society, at the commencement of his ministry 
here, were in a distracted and divided state. Brother had been 
set against brother, and the harsh voice of discord had nearly 
drowned the "still small voice" of the religion of Prince of 
Peace. But, by prudent and judicious management, union and 
harmony were in some measure soon restored, and the religious 
concerns of the people assumed a more prosperous and agreea- 
ble aspect. Bible-classes were formed, and two Sabbath schools 
organized, one of which has already a good library. 



BAPTIST CHURCHES. 

" It is probable," says Benedict, [vol. I. p. 429] in speaking of 
Rehoboth, " that there have been Ba])tists in this town from 
about 1G50, when Obadiah Holmes* separated from the parish 
worship ; but no church was gathered in it until 1732, when 
one f arose near its south-east corner, under the ministry of Air. 
John Comer, formerly pastor of the first Baptist church in 
Newport, R. I. By the year 1794, no less than seven Baptist 
churches had been formed in Rehoboth ; most of them were 
small, and hardly any two of them were united in their views 
of doctrine and discipline. Elhanam Winchester, who after- 
w-ards distinguished himself by the propagation of the doctrine 
of Universal Restoration, was, for a few years, pastor of one of 
them. The youngest of thesef is that at the lower end of the 
great Seekonk Plaine, within about three miles of Providence, 
which is supplied by Mr. John Pitman of that town." The 
majority of these small churches have greatly declined, and 
some of them have become utterly extinct. Brief notices will 
be given of them all. 



Oak Swamp Church. 

This church was gathered, January 20, 1732, by the Rev. 
John Comer, who had formerly been pastor of the first Baptist 
church in Newport, R. I. He removed from Newport to 

"'• See Ecclesiastical history of Seekonk. t Oak Swamp Church. 

i Now the Baptist church of Seekonk. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 181 

Rehoboth in August of 1731, and was installed over the church 
he had collected here, July 26, 1732. The Rev. Ephraim 
Wheaton, of Svvansey, preached the installation sermon from 
Thess. V. 12, 13, and gave him the right hand of fellowship. 
November 30th, Mr. Comer baptized fifteen persons, chiefly 
converts under his preaching. In less than two years from the 
date of its organization this church numbered ninety-five mem- 
bers. Mr. Comer died of consumption, May 23, 1734, in the 
30th year of his age. 

Mr. Comer was born at Boston, August 1, 1704, and was the 
son of Mr. John and Mrs. Mary Comer. His father died July, 
1706, in North Carolina, where he had touched on his voyage 
to England. John was then nearly two years of age, July 1, 
1708, his mother was married to Mr. John Philips of Boston, 
by whom she had two children, a son and a daughter. In 1709, 
Mr. Comer says, his mother told him, "that he had read his 
Bible half out." In 1714 his mother and father-in-law remov- 
ed to South Carolina for the purpose of obtaining some property 
left by Mr. John Comer for his son's liberal education. But 
no sooner had his father-in-law got possession of this property 
than he appropriated it to his own use. He soon died in a sin- 
gular manner, which John says was considered a judgment of 
God for defrauding the fatherless. He was walking in a very 
dark night with a long pipe in his mouth, when he fell, and the 
pipe-stem, running down his throat, broke off", and no means that 
could be devised, could get it out. He continued from Saturday 
till Monday, when he died. John, though exceedingly desi- 
rous of an education, was now reduced to the necessity of learn- 
ing some useful trade for support! May 1718, he says, " I 
went to learn the glover's trade of Mr. Benjamin Harris of Bos- 
ton "; — with him he continued two years and one month. "In 
this time," said he, " I had opportunity to read and did improve 
it." "This year" [1719] says he, "I composed a set dis- 
course (which was the first) from the words in Eccl. xii. 1, 
"Remember me," &lc. "In July 1720," says he, "I was 
put by my grandfather to Mr. Zechariab Fitch, to the same 
trade. He, seeing me read much, said to me and to others, ' I 
see you w^ont do for me, for you read too much.' At this time 
I applied myself to my grandfather, to go on in my studying, 
but he refused. I prevailed upon the Rev. Dr. Increase Math- 
er to go and talk with him ; which being done he consented to 
it." "In December of this year, [1720] I began my grammar 



182 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

with my old schoolmaster, Mr. Angler ; being sixteen j^ears and 
four months old. Thus I set out upon my studies." His 
grandfather died Monday, August 7, 1721. "He committed 
me," says Mr. Comer, " to the care and inspection of Mr. John 
Webb, and by will bequeathed to me £.500. This sum ^vas to 
bring me up, and introduce me comfortably into the world, which 
it did." In 1723, an intimate friend of his, Mr. Ephraim Craft, 
who had been a member of Mr. Webb's communion, in Boston, 
but had now embraced the principles of the Baptists and joined 
Mr. Callender's church, persuaded him to read " Stennett on 
Baptism," and give the subject a thorough examination. Tills 
resulted, some years afterwards, in his conversion to the princi- 
ples of the Baptists. In 1723 he was admitted into Yale Col- 
lege, " containing," says his journal, " about fifty students." 
The summer of 1724, by permission of the faculty of the college, 
he studied with the Rev. Mr. Barnard, a Congregational minis- 
ter of Andover, with whom he had studied a shoit time previous 
to entering college. "January 1, 1725, was baptized by Mr. 
Callender, and admitted into full communion with the Baptist 
church in Boston." " So I tarried in Boston that winter, and 
resolved to go no more to college ; but to follow my studies 
privately, and to keep for a time a school in the country, if any 
presented. Accordingly a school presenting itself at Shawamet, 
on the lower end of Swansey, and considering there was a Bap- 
tist church there, about eight miles distant, I accepted the 
motion." He left Boston, Thursday May 5, 1725, and reach- 
ed Swansey the next day, "sending his horse back by the post." 
" Saturday the 8th," says he, " I visited the minister, Mr. 
Ephraim Wheaton, and was invited by him to preach the next 
Lord's day, which I accepted, having been earnest with the 
Lord for the bestowment of suitable gifts and graces for so 
sacred an office." In June he engaged to teach the public 
school one quarter, at the rate of £44 a year. He preached, 
during the time that he was engaged in teaching, regularly one 
sermon on the Sabbath, to lighten the labors of the Rev. Mr. 
Wheaton, who had become infirm through age. In August 
[1725] he was invited by the church in Swansey to preach to 
them regularly, having before preached only at the request of 
their pastor ; but having reason to believe that some few persons 
were secretly hostile to his settlement, he accepted a similar 
invitation from the first Baptist church in Newport, R. I., and 
was ordained, May 19, 1795, colleague with the Rev. William 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORV. 1 S3 

Peckham. He was married, January 20, 1726, to Miss Sarah 
Rogers of Newport, by whom he had three children, John, 
Sarah, and Mary ; these married into the Kennicut, Mendal, 
and Cranston famihes. Mr. Comer remained at Newport only 
about three years, when he removed to Rehoboth and founded 
the church at "Oak Swamp," as before related. The cause 
of his leaving Newport was his preaching the indispensibility of 
the laying on of hands to all baptized believers. This gave 
offence to some of the church and caused a violent opposition 
to his preaching. " Nevertheless," says a historian,* " they 
whom he made angry venerated the man for his piety and pop- 
ular talents." Mr. Comer kept a journal and was curious in 
noting all the remarkable events that came within his knowl- 
edge. This swelled into two volumes of the folio size, which 
are now deposited in the cabinet of the Rhode Island Histori- 
cal Society. To this journal I am principally indebted for the 
facts here given of Mr. Comer. He had formed the design of 
writing the history of the American Baptists, and for this pur- 
pose had entered into correspendence with the distinguished 
clergymen of that denomination, both in England and America, 
and had even travelled as far south as Philadelphia, in collect- 
ing the materials to prosecute his plan. The materials col- 
lected by him were made use of both by Backus and Benedict 
in their histories. 

Several quotations from Mr. Comer's journal have already 
been given in this sketch ; the following were written after his 
settlement at Rehoboth, and may serve as a specimen of his 
minute chronicling of the events which transpired around him, 
interspersed with prayers, religious reflections, he. 

" Saturday, Jan 1, 1732. This day I began a new year in 
a new place, though not a new employment ; for my delight of 
soul is in serving my dear Redeemer in the sacred service of 
the ministry, which I prefer and extol above every thing else, 
(though I acknowledge unfit, unworthy in myself). O Lord, 
who is sufficient for these things ? Sufficiency is alone of God. 
On him I rest and rely. Continually, Lord, grant me this year 
new supplies of thy spirit ; and, as I renew a new year, I en- 
treat 1 may find my desires renewed to glorify and serve thee." 

" Lord's day, Jan. 16, 1732. This day Mr. John Luther's 
house was burned down about 1 1 o'clock, A. M. in Swansey." 

* Ecclesiastical Hist, of Rhode Island, by Morgan Edwards, in MS. now in 
the archives of the Rhode Island Hist. Soc. 



184 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

" Thursd. Jan 20, 1732. This day a Baptist church was 
gathered in Rehoboth, and I was chosen to the pastoral office." 

" Wednesday, 26th. Tliis day I was pubhckly installed 
pastor over the Baptist church in Rehoboth. The elder and 
messengers of the church of Swansey assisted. Elder Ephraim 
Wheaton preached from 1st Thess. v. 12, 13, and gave me the 
rig] it hand of felloivshij}." 

"Lord's day, February 13. This day I preached at New- 
port for Mr. John Callender, in my old congregation ; it being 
the first time since we parted." 

"Mond. 14. This night, about 11 of the clock, Mr. Hugh 
Cole, jun. left his hay, and every thing belonging to him, in the 
fire, save his family, who narrowly escaped (through God's dis- 
tinguishing goodness), some in part, and others not at all cloth- 
ed, in an extreme cold night, in Swansey." 

" Tuesd. 15. This day for the extremity of cold may 
deserve to be chronicled." 

" Lord's day, 20th. This day, about 1 P. M., my wife's 
mother, Mrs. Sarah Rogers, departed this life, and I have grace 
to hope she died in the Lord." 

" Lord's day, 27th. This day another house was burned in 
Swansey, at 9 A. M." 

" Thursd. March 16, 1732. This day in the town of Reho- 
both, one John Abel cut his own throat with a razor, about sun- 
rise : he had been ill in body some time." 

" April, Wednesd. 8,1732. This day a remarkable snow 
fell, between 2 and 3 feet deep : the deepest we had this 
year." 

With this the journal closes. Some leaves appear to have 
been torn off. Mr. Comer lived more than two years after the 
date of this last memorandum. Li his death his church expe- 
rienced an irreparable loss, and soon fell into a decline from 
which it never but partially recovered. 

On the 4th of June, 1736, Nathaniel Millard, was ordained 
as the successor of Mr. Comer ; but according to Backus [vol. 
IL p. 385,] he was a man of unsound principles, who, in six 
years after, abandoned his wife, and formed an adulterous con- 
nection with a woman of abandoned character, with whom he 
left the town. 

In 1745, Rev Samuel Maxwell, who, at his own request had 
been dismissed from Swansey, in 1739, took the charge of this 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 185 

church. He was dismissed from it in less than four years. 
[Backus, vol. II. p. 384, vol. III. p. 148.] 

August 3, 1748. Rev. John Paine was ordained over this 
church. [Backus, vol. II. p. 175.] 

The Rev. Richard Round, who had preiviously formed a 
church in the north-east part of the town, preached to this 
church for several years before his death, which occurred May 
18, 1768, at the age of 62. He is said to have been a pious 
and good man. 

In 1795, this church had been dissolved. The church and 
congregation to which Mr. Winchester preached, afterwards 
worshipped for a time in the house of this church. 



Round's Church. 

This church is located in the north-east part of the town, 
and was formed by the Rev. David Round. During the first 
year of its formation it embraced forty members. Mr. Round, 
their first pastor, was ordained, July 13, 1743. He preached 
the gospel faithfully till his health failed, when he removed to 
the southern part of the town for the benefit of the sea air. 
About this time a division took place both in this church and 
the one founded by Mr. Comer at Oak Swamp. A part of the 
members of each worshipped at Round's meeting-house, and 
the other part, at Oak Swamp, where Mr. Round, having re- 
gained his health, preached to them until his death. May 
18, 1768. 

After the removal of Mr. Round there was no regular preach- 
ing here, — and, in fact, the church was considered only as a 
branch of Elder GofF's church, of Dighton, till a church was 
again formed (or at most revived) by the Rev. Sylvester 
Round, about the year 1782 — 3. Mr. Round continued the 
pastor of this church till his death, October 26, 1824, since 
tvhich date no regular meeting has been sustained ; and the 
the number of members is so small and so scattered as scarcely 
to deserve the name of a church. This church, as formed by 
the latter Mr. Round, was called the " six principled Baptists."* 

* For most of the facts stated respecting this church and the two following, 
I am indebted to Dr. Menzias A. Randall, who resides in the north-east part 
of Rehoboth. 

24 



186 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH, 

Mr. Round was born in Rehoboth, April 10, 1762, and, in 
1780, married Miss Mehitable Perrv, also of Rehoboth. 



Reformed Methodist Church, 

After the death of the Rev. Sylvester Round, in 1824, there 
was no preacher located in the vicinity of his church till 1826, 
when the Rev. Lorenzo D. Johnson, from Vermont, came and 
commenced preaching; and, in the year 1827, organized a 
church, called " Reformed Methodist." Mr. Johnson preach- 
ed here till 1829, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Benja- 
min M'Cloth. Mr. M'Cloth supplied the desk till 1834. His 
ministry was highly successful and useful. He was succeeded 
by the Rev. Joseph S. Eldridge, who is the present pastor of 
the church. Mr. Eldridge was born at Harwich, (Mass.), and 
married Miss Rhoda Shares, of Chatham, (Mass.) The condi- 
tion of this church since its formation has been highly pros- 
perous. It numbers now 77 members, and embraces a society 
of 3 or 4 hundred. It has erected a neat and commodious house, 
finished in good taste. 



Iron's Churcb. 

This church is in the north-west part of Rehoboth, near to 
Attleborough. It was formed after a revival of religion there, 
October 2, 1777. The Rev. James Sheldon, of Providence, 
was ordained their pastor, September 6, 1780. He purchased 
a farm in the vicinity, for sixteen hundred dollars ; but, after he 
had paid a thousand dollars of the sum, he was pressed for the 
remainder of it, in the trying year of 1786, so as to be compel- 
led to sell it again, with the loss of about seven hundred dol- 
lars. He soon removed his family back to Providence ; though 
he often came and preached to this church, for several years, till 
he obtained a dismission, in 1792, and removed into the State 
of New York. This church obtained occasional supplies of 
preaching, from time to time, till the Rev. Jeremiah Irons was 
ordained their pastor, September 24, 1795. He was born in 
Gloucester, R. I., October 14, 1765, and is believed to be still 
living somewhere in the western states. [Backus, vol. III. pp. 
150 — 1.] After the period of Mr. Irons leaving Rehoboth, the 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 187 

desk was occasionally supplied by Reverends William Northrop 
and Daniel Hix (or Hicks,) for a few years, till the Rev. 
Samuel Northrop was located here, who supplied the pulpit till 
his death, in 1812. He was born in North Kingston, R. I., 
and died in Rehoboth. Since his death the desk has been occa- 
sionally supplied by Reverends Timothy Morse and Reuben 
Allen, of New-Hampshire, John M. Yeamshaw, of Mass., 
and J. S. Mowry, of R. I. Mr. Mowry is the present minister. 
The church numbers at present, about 90 members, and is of 
the denomination called " Free-will Baptists." 



HicRs' Church. 

This church, like most of the others we have spoken of, re- 
ceived its name from its fouuder, the Rev. John Hicks. He 
was born in Rehoboth, May 10, 1712, and was ordained the 
first pastor of this church, November 10, 1762. In 1780 this 
church consisted of 106 members. In 1784 it embraced 100 
members, and Mr. Hicks was still its pastor. In 1795 he was 
still living, but so infirm, through age, as to be unable to preach. 
His eldest son, Jacob, born at Rehoboth, January 1, 1740, was 
pastor of a church which grew out of this, under the preaching 
of the Rev. Elhanan Winchester. 

The origin and history of this church, formed by Mr. Win- 
chester, is thus stated by Backus, vol. HI. pp. 149, 150: 
"Another church was raised out of the other [the former], in 
the following manner. A powerful work began among them in 
the fall of 1771, and elder Hicks baptized forty persons, and 
then was taken sick in the winter, and Mr. Winchester came 
and baptized twenty more ; and such power appeared to attend 
his ministry, that many were taken in with the opinion, that 
baptism by immersion ought not to be held as a term of com- 
munion in the church. A council was called upon it, in Sep- 
tember, 1772, and they who were not convinced by them, form- 
ed another church, and ordained Mr. Jacob Hicks as their 
pastor, January 20, 1773. He is the eldest son of their old 
pastor, and was born January 1,1740. This division caused 
much unhappiness for many years ; but both societies have 
usually held their worship together, in late times, and they now 



188 HISTORY OF REHOBOTH. 

[1795] meet in the same house that was first built for Mr. 
Comer's church.-'* 

The Re\^ Elhanan Winchester, who preached a short time 
to this church, and who afterwards distinguished himself as the 
author and able advocate of wn? versa/ restoration , and the found- 
er of a religious sect, deserves to be noticed here. 

He was born in Brookline, Mass., September 19, 1751. 
Though not favoured with the advantages of an academical 
education, yet, naturally fond of books and studious from a boy, 
by making the most of the means within his power, he acquir- 
ed, as Backus expresses it, " a considerable measure of human 
learning." He made a first attemptf at preaching in Rehoboth, 
at the age of nineteen. His preaching in Rehoboth caused a 
division in the church to which he was preaching, and from it 
another was formed, over which he was ordained pastor, Sep- 
tember 4, 1771, before he was twenty years old. Though he had 
himself been baptized by immersion, nnd had, at the first, joined 
a close communion church, he insisted zealously on all christians 
communing together. But, soon after his ordination, being per- 
suaded by a Baptist clergyman to believe that he was in an 
error in regard to communion, Mr. ^Vinchester declared to his 
church, " that he could no more administer the ordinance of 
the supper to any who were only sprinkled in infancy, though 
he was still willing to discharge all the duties of his office to 
them . that he could do with a good conscience." [Backus, vol. 
HI. pp. 152 — 5.] Upon hearing this declaration, the majority 
of his church refused to let him preach another sermon among 
them ; and, in May, 1778, ordained for their pastor the Rev. 
Jonathan Chaffee. They styled their communion "large com- 
munion,''^ and the other, " close communion.^' In December, 
1772, Mr. Winchester called a council of Baptist churches, 
who advised him to confess what they considered an error, to 
his church, and then to ofier himself as a member to some other 
Baptist church. He followed their advice and was received 
into the Baptist church in Bellingham, Mass. He afterwards 
preached at Newton, Mass., and was, according to Allen [Am. 
Biog. and Hist. Die.,] the first minister of the Baptist church in 
that place. After this he travelled extensively, and preached 
through all the country as far south as South Carolina. In 

"Oak Swamp church. 

f This fact 1 had from a lady still living, who heard his first sermon. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 189 

1778 we find him on the Pedee river in that State, zealously- 
teaching the Calvinistic doctrines, as explained by Dr. Gill. In 
the following year his labours were usefid among the negroes. 
In 1781 he became pastor of a Baptist church in Philadelphia ; 
but ' the fathers of it,' perceiving that he had imbibed the doc- 
trine of universal salvation, soon rejected him. His party, hav- 
ing become the majority, sued for the meeting-house and par- 
sonage ; but, after a long lawsuit and much cost, they were 
defeated, and the property was secured to the original church. 
After this Mr. Winchester visited New-England, where he spent 
a year ; and then returning to Philadelphia, he embarked for 
England, in July, 1787. While in London, he published his 
Dialogues on universal restoration, which gained him much 
celebrity on both sides of the Atlantic. He returned to Amer- 
ica, and landed at Boston, in July, 1794 ; and Backus remarks 
of him, in 1796 : — "he is spreading his doctrines in this coun- 
try, which makes it needful to hold up light against them." 
He died at Hartford, Conn., in April 1797, aged 45. Besides 
his Dialogues, he published a volume of hymns, 1776 ; a plain 
political catechism for schools ; a sermon on restoration, 1781 ; 
and lectures on the prophecies. An American edition of the 
latter, 2 vols. 8vo. was published in 1800. 



Pierce's Church. 

This church was in the south-east part of Rehoboth. In 
order to form it, about thirty persons were dismissed from the 
second Baptist church in Swansey, who ordained the Rev. 
Daniel Martin for their pastor, February 8, 1753. The Rev. 
Nathan Pierce was soon ordained with him. Mr. Martin pub- 
lished a sermon, in 1770, against "particular election, and effi- 
cacious grace in conversion." An answer to this was published 
the next year, " which," says Backus, " was convincing to 
many minds." Mr. Martin died at an advanced age, Novem- 
ber 17, 1781 ; and Mr. Pierce died in 1794. Rev. Thomas 
Seamens was a colleague with Mr. Pierce for a number of years 
before his death, and was still minister of this church in 1795, 
but the number of its members was small. 



HISTORY OF SEEK ON K 



In 1812 the west part of Rehoboth was, by an act of the 
Legislature, passed the 26th of February of that year, mcor- 
porated uito a distinct township, resuming its ancient Indian 
name, SetJconli.* The reason of this division was the great 
extent of the old town, and the difficulty and inconvenience 
thence consequent on the assembling of the town for the trans- 
action of their public business. The history of Seekonk, be- 
coming from this period distinct, or, at least, a branch of the 
history of the original town, is necessarily so related. The civil 
history consists chiefly in extracts from the town records. The 
following is the 



Act of Incorporation. 

" Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
of the same, that the westerly part of Rehoboth in the county 
of Bristol, as described within the following bounds, with 
the inhabitants thereon, be, and they are hereby incorpo- 
rated into a separate town, by the name of Seekonk, viz : 
Beginning at a rock in the line between the towns of Attlebo- 
rough and Rehoboth, which is the northeast corner boundary of 
the west precinct in said Rehoboth ; thence south, four degrees 
west, until it strikes the line between the towns of Swanzey and 
said Rehoboth ; thence westerly, by Swanzey line, till it strikes 
the line between the said Rehoboth and the State of Rhode 
Island and Providence Plantations ; thence following the line 
between the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 
and said Rehoboth, till it comes to the southwest corner of the 
town of Attleborough ; thence easterly by the line between the 
towns of Attleborough and Rehoboth to the first mentioned 

* For the derivation and meaning of this word, see note page 1, Hist, of 
Rehoboth. 



192 HISTORY OF SEEKONKi 

bounds ; — and the said town of Seekonk is hereby vested with 
all the powers and privileges, rights and immunities, and subject 
to all the duties to which other towns are entitled and subjected 
by the constitution or laws of this Commonwealth. 

" Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That of all state and couri-' 
ty taxes which shall be levied and required of said towns, pre- 
vious to a new valuation, the said town of Seekonk shall pay one 
half thereof. 

"Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, that all the expenses ari- 
sing for the support of the poor of said town of Rehoboth, 
with which it is now chargeable, together with such poor as have 
removed out of said town prior to this act of incorporation, but 
who may hereafter be lawfully returned to said town for sup- 
port, shall be equally divided between the towns of Seekonk 
and Rehoboth ; and when the said town of Seekonk shall be 
organized, the paupers, whether the same be suppoi'ted in whole 
or in part only, shall be divided as nearly as may be, and one 
half of the number delivered over to the overseers of the poor 
of that town, to be by them in future supported. 

" Sec. 4. Be it further enacted. That Elkanah French, Esq. 
be, and he is hereby authorized to issue his warrant, directed to 
some suitable inhabitant of Seekonk, requiring him to notify and 
warn the inhabitants thereof, qualified to vote for town officers, 
to meet at such convenient time and place as shall be expressed 
in said warrant, to choose all such officers as towns are by law 
authorized to choose in the months of March or April annually. 
And that the said Elkanah French, Esq. be, and he is hereby 
authorized and empowered to preside at said meeting during the 
election of a moderator, to exercise all the powers, and to do 
all the duties which town clerks by law have and do perform in 
the election of moderators of town meetings." 

This act passed 26th February, 1812. 

A warrant was issued, and, pursuant thereunto, a meeting of 
the legal voters of Seekonk was holden in the old meeting 
house, on Monday March 16, 1812, at ten o'clock A. M. for 
organizing the town and choosing town officers. Caleb Abell 
was chosen moderator of the meeting, and town clerk for the 
ensuing year ; and Capt. Allen Cole, town treasurer for the 
year. The meeting then adjourned to the 23d instant, at the 
same hour and place as the foregoing. 

March 23, 1812. At the adjourned meeting of the town, it 
was voted " to choose three selectmen for the ensuing year, one 



HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 



193 



of them to be in each of the three militia companies." Messrs. 
Peter Hunt, Worcester Carpenter, and Allen Munroe were 
chosen selectmen. 

" Voted to choose a committee of three, to join a committee 
chosen by the town of Rehoboth, to make a settlement with 
the late town treasurer ; and, by vote, Messrs. Calvin Martin, 
James Ellis, and Benjamin Ormsbee were said committee." 

" By vote, chose Messrs. Lewis Wade and James Bliss con- 
stables for the ensuing year." 

" Voted that the town meetings in Seekonk be notified in the 
usual mode and manner that town meetings were notified before 
the division of the town of Rehoboth, till further order be 
taken thereon." 

" Meeting adjourned till the sixth day of April next." 

April 6, 1812. " The town voted to choose two constables 
in addition to the two chosen at a former meeting ; and, by vote, 
Messrs Amos Read and Nathaniel Viall were said constal3les." 

At the same meeting were chosen, "surveyors of highways," 
" fence viewers," " surveyors of plank and timber, and corders 
of wood and bark," and " field drivers." 

" Voted that the present selectmen be overseers of the poor, 
and assessors for the year ensuing." 

Monday, Oct. 5, 1812. "Voted to put up the collection of 
taxes to be bid off by those that would collect the lowest, they 
giving bonds to said town agreeable to a vote." 

Nov. 2, 1812. In town meeting, " voted to choose by nomina- 
tion a committee of three, to divide all public personal property 
that belongs to the towns of Seekonk and Rehoboth, and poor 
persons, agreeable to the act of General Court of this Com- 
monweahh, incorporating said town of Seekonk ; — and chose 
James Ellis, Esq. and Deacon Joseph Bucklin on said com- 
mittee." 

Sept. 7, 1812. In towm meeting, "motion being made and 
seconded to give to each detached non-commissioned officer and 
soldier belonging to Seekonk, five dollars per month in addition 
to what the general government allows, as wages ; — vote taken 
thereon declared in the negative." 

" Voted to choose a committee to report to the town, what 

sum will be necessary for a town grant for schoohng, and for the 

expenses of said town for the year ensuing ; and also on the 

mode of collecting taxes ; — and by vote chose Messrs. Caleb 

25 



194 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 

Abell, Thomas Kennicutt, Peter Hunt, Elkanah French, and 
Ohver Starkweather, said coniuiiitee. 

This committee reported, Oct. 1, 1812, "the sum of three 
hundred and fifty dollars for the support of schools, to be appor-' 
tioned by the assessors to the several school districts, according 
to rateable polls and estates ; for the purchase of the town stock 
of powder, and support of the poor, and the necessary expenses 
arising in said town, the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars.'* 

Voted in town meeting, the same day, " that the simr of six- 
teen hundred dollars be assessed on the polls and estates imme- 
diately." 

March 15, 1813. At a meeting of the town, the following 
town officers were elected for the ensuing year: — Oliver Stark- 
weather, moderator ; Caleb Abell, town clerk ; Otis Carpenter, 
town treasurer; Messrs. Peter Hunt, Worcester Carpenter, and 
Allen Munro, selectmen. 

April 5, 1813. " Voted to put out the poor persons belong- 
ing to the town of Seekonk, at auction, to the lowest bidder." 

May 10, 1813. Chose Messrs. Amos Read, James BlisS;, 
and John Barns, constables for the ensuing year. 

June 7, 1813. " Voted unanimously to grant the sum of one 
thousand dollars for the purpose of building the town house." 

This year the town voted to raise the sum of 350 dollars for 
the support of schools. 

March 21, 1814. In a town meeting holden at the house of 
James Bliss, innholder, the following town officerswere chosen : 
Oliver Starkweather, moderator; Caleb Abell, town clerk; Otis 
Carpenter, town treasurer ; Messrs. Robert Daggett, Worcester 
Carpenter, and Allen Munro, selectmen. 

Monday, Oct. 3, 1814. "Messrs. Tristram Burgess, William 
church, and Richmond Bullock, a committee from the town of 
Providence, in behalf of said town of Providence, requested 
liberty to build a breastwork on land belonging to the town of 
Seekonk and Rehoboth, at a place called Kettle Point; and to 
solicit the citizens of Seekonk to assist in building said fortifica- 
tion. By vote, granted the request of said committee so far as 
related to Seekonk, and chose a committee of seven to request 
the citizens to assist in raising the fortification." 

This year the town raised for the support of schools 350 dol- 
lars ; to replace military stores that might be drawn out, 200 
dollars. The whole sum raised for town expenses was ^2400. 



HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 195 

The old meeting-house was this year torn down, the timber, 
Stc. sold, and the proceeds devoted to defraying the expenses of 
erecting the town house. The old meeting house brought the 
town about 120 dollars. 

The first meeting in the new town house was holden Monday 
Nov. 7, 1814. 

Monday, March 20, 1815. At the annual town meeting the fol- 
lowing town officers were chosen : Deacon Joseph Bucklin, mod- 
erator ; Caleb Abel, town clerk ; Otis Carpenter, town treasurer ; 
Messrs. Lemuel Carpenter, Samuel Allen, and Caleb Mason, 
selectmen. 

Raised for the support of schools, this year, »9400; for the 
support of the poor and incidental expenses, ^'900. 

March 18, 1816. At the annual meeting for the choice of 
town officers, the following were elected : — Capt. Lemuel Car- 
penter, moderator ; Caleb Abell, town clerk ; Otis Carpenter, 
Town Treasurer ; Messrs. Lemuel Carpenter, Samuel Allen, 
and Caleb Mason, selectmen. 

Raised, this year for the support of schools ,^^400; for sup- 
\yoYt of the poor, and incidental expenses, ^'1200. 

March 17, 1817. At the annual meeting for the choice of 
officers the following were elected ; Capt. Lemuel Carpenter, 
moderator ; Caleb Abell, town clerk ; Otis Carpenter, town 
treasurer; Messrs. Lemuel Carpenter, Samuel Allen, and Caleb 
Mason, selectmen. 

Raised, this year, {j^400 for the support of schools; for the 
support of the poor, and incidental expenses, .^1100; and for 
a county tax, ^5 400. 

March 16, 1818. At the annual meeting the following choice 
of town officers was made, viz : Caleb Abell, town clerk ; Otis 
Carpenter, town treasurer ; Messrs. Lemuel Carpenter, Samuel 
Allen, and Caleb Mason, selectmen. 

April 6, 1818. A petition of some of the inhabitants for 
"straightening the highway to Pawtucket," was granted by the 
town, provided the town " be put to no expense on account of said 
straigiitening or alteration in said highway." The old highway 
to be discontinued where it is not wanting. The following sums 
of money were raised by the town this year, viz : for the sup- 
port of schools, ^'400 ; for the support of the poor, ^'900 ; for 
the county tax, ^400 ; for town officers and other expenses of 
the town, ^200. 

March 15, 1819. The following town officers were chosen, 



196 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 

viz : Caleb Abell, town clerk ; William Hammond, town treas- 
urer; Messrs. Lemuel Carpenter, Samuel Allen, and George 
W, Walker selectmen. 

May 10, 1819. Messrs. Eliphalet Slack, Benjamin I. Wal- 
cott, Oliver Starkweather, David Bucklin, Elijah Jngraham, and 
Ebenezer Taylor were chosen fire-wardens. 

The following sums of money were raised by the town this 
year, viz: for support of schools, ^400; for county tax, 
.*^554,80; for support of the poor and other town expenses, 
^1045,20 ; expenses of work on the town house, ,^'100. 

March 20, 1820. The follo\\"ing town officers were chosen, 
viz : Caleb Abell, town clerk ; William Hammond, town treas- 
urer ; Messrs. David Bucklin, Samuel Allen, and George W. 
Walker, selectmen. 

April 3, 1820. " Voted to choose a committee of three 
persons, to make examination, to know what privilege the in- 
habitants of Seekonk have to pass and repass to and from the 
shore, at or near Bullock's point, so called, in Seekonk." 

This committee reported, "that, on examination of the rec- 
ords, they could not find that the inhabitants of Seekonk had any 
right to pass or repass to the shore near said point." 

Raised, this year, for the support of the poor, and other 
expenses, i|{) 1300 ; for the support of common schools, ^'400 
*•' including money the school lands rent for the presei^t 
year." 

July 3, 1820. "Voted to choose a committee of three per- 
sons, to examine the records, to know what authority the pro- 
prietors have, as proprietors, to sell lands ; and by vote chose 
Messrs. Tristram Burgess, Robert Daggett, and Lemuel Carpen- 
ter, said committee." " Voted that said committee be instruct- 
ed to ascertain whether said proprietors have sold, or are about 
to sell, any lands, rights, or privileges, which belong to the town; 
and report to the town at the next adjournment of the meeting." 
This committee reported at the next Mai'ch meeting : their 
report, which is an able one, is recorded, Seekonk Records, 
vol. L 226. 

July 31, 1820. "Voted to choose a health officer; and, by 
vote, chose Uriah Benedict said health officer." 

Oct. 16, 1820. Joseph Sisson, jr. and Robert Daggett were 
chosen delegates to meet in convention with the delegates from 
the other towns, at Boston on the third Wednesday of Nov. 
next, for the purpose of revising the constitution of the State. 



HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 197 

March 19, 1821. Chose Caleb AbeU, town clerk; William 
Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. David Bucklin, Nathaniel 
Read, jr. and George W. Walker, selectmen. 

June 4, 1821. JMessrs. Uriah Benedict and Edward Wal- 
cott were chosen health officers for the village of Pawtucket. 

Raised this year for the support of the poor and town expen- 
ses, ,^'1400; for the sujjport of schools, ,'^*400, "including 
money school lands rent for the present year." 

March 25, 1822. Caleb Abell chosen town clerk ; William 
Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. David Bucklin, Nathaniel 
Read, jr., and Samuel Allen, selectmen. 

Raised this year, i^'1500 for town expenses; and ^400 for 
the support of schools. 

March 17, 1823. At the annual meeting for the choice of 
town officers the following were elected : Caleb Abell, town 
clerk ; William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Robert 
Daggett, Nathaniel Read, jr., and Samuel Allen, selectmen. 
Chose ten persons fire-wardens for the village of Pawtucket. 

This year, the town raised ,^^1600 for town expenses, and 
^500 for the support of schools. 

March 2, 1824. The following town officers were chosen, 
viz: Caleb Abell town clerk; William Hammond, town treasu- 
rer ; Messrs. Robert Daggett, Simeon Walker, and Samuel 
Allen, selectmen. 

May 10, 1824. "Voted to purchase a hearse and harness, 
a large and small pall, and a suitable house to keep them in." 

August 28, 1824. Voted to raise ^500 for the support of 
schools, and ^'1600 for the support of the poor and other neces- 
sary expenses. 

January 3, 1825. " Voted to choose three persons, as a com- 
mittee to petition the General Court to revise the act of incor- 
poration, so as to put the town of Seekonk on equal standing 
with the town of Rehoboth, respecting the undivided real estate 
belonging between the two towns." " Elkanah French, Esq. 
Thomas Kennicutt, Esq. and George W. Walker, were chosen 
said committee." 

March 21, 1825. Caleb Abell chosen town clerk ; William 
Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Robert Daggett, Simeon 
Walker, and Seth Whitmarsh, selectmen. 

April 4, 1825. Voted the sum of f 17,00 for the support of 
the poor and other town expenses, and ^600 for the support of 
schools. 



198 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 

March 7, 1826. The town chose Caleb Abell town clerk ; 
William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Robert Daggett, 
Simeon Walker, and Seth Whitmarsh, selectmen. ■*■ 

"Voted to raise ^'1700 for tlie support of the poor and other 
town expenses, and ^'700 for schooling." 

April 17, 1826. Voted ^'2000 for the repairing of highways 
and bridges. 

June 15, 1826. "Voted that it is not expedient to have a 
jail built in the town of New Bedford, at the expense of the 
county ; and appointed a committee of three, viz. Messrs. Caleb 
Abell, Seth Whitmarsh, and Simeon Walker, to draft a remon- 
strance to the General Court, against building a jail in the town 
of New Bedford, at the county expense." 

March 5, 1827. At the annual meeting, the town chose 
Caleb Abell town clerk ; William Hammond, town treasurer ; 
Messrs. Robert Daggett, Simeon Walker, and Seth Whitmarsh, 
selectmen. 

May 14, 1827. Voted to raise fl700 for the support of 
the poor and other town expenses, and ^700 for the support of 
schools. 

May 14, 1827. Voted to raise $2000 for the repairs of 
highways and bridges. 

Oct. 22, 1827. A petition was presented, at the town meet- 
ing, by the inhabitants of Pawtucket village, for a division of 
the town, that they might be incorporated into a separate town- 
ship ; but a vote being taken, it was passed in the negative by a 
large majority ; and a committee was chosen to draft a remon- 
strance to the General Court against the proposed division. 
Messrs. Seth Whitmarsh, Simeon Walker, and John Newell were 
chosen said committee. 

March 3, 1828. The town chose Caleb Abell town clerk; 
William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. William Ide, Sim- 
eon Walker, and Seth Whitmarsh, selectmen. Afterwards 
chose Church Gray selectman, in place of William Ide, who 
declined. 

May 5, 1828. Voted the sum of $500 for schooling, and 
$1500 for the support of the poor and other expenses. At a 
subsequent meeting a part of this vote was reconsidered, and 
the sum of $1100 for the support of the poor was substituted 
instead of $1500. 

March 2, 1829. The town chose Caleb Abell, town clerk ; 



HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 190 

William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Chmch Gray, 
Simeon Walker, and Jesse Medbury, selectmen. 

Voted ,f 1300 for the repairs of highways and bridges. At a 
subsequent meeting, Seth Whitmarsh was chosen selectman, in 
place of Jesse Medbury, who declined serving. 

June 29, 1829. The town voted to raise ^'500 for the sup- 
port of schools, and ^1750 for support of the poor and other 
town expenses. 

August 31, 1829. "Voted to choose a school committee, to 
consist of three persons to serve in said town the present year, 
provided they will serve in said oflice without any expense to 
said town of Seekonk ; and, by vote, chose Messrs. James O. 
Barney, Henry H. Brown, and Benjamin C. Grafton said com- 
mittee." 

March 1, 1830. At the annual meeting, the town chose 
Caleb Abell town clerk ; William Hammond, town treasurer ; 
Messrs. Church Gray, Simeon Walker, and Jesse Medbury, 
selectmen. 

The town raised this year ^1300 for the repair of highways 
and bridges. 

Voted to dispense with the school committee this year. 

August 10, 1830. " Voted to grant the sum of ^1000 for 
the necessary expenses of the town, and ^500 for schooling, 
including the rents of school lands." 

Nov. 1, 1830. " Voted that the selectmen of the town be a 
committee in behalf of said town, to agree with some suitable 
person, to make a survey of said town, agreeable to the act of 
this Commonwealth, on the best terms they can have said sur- 
vey made." 

This survey was made by Joseph Capron, Esq. of Attle- 
borough. 

March 7, 1831. The town chose Caleb Abell town clerk; 
William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Church Gray, 
Simeon Walker and Jesse Medbury selectmen. 

Voted to raise the sum of ^1300 for the repair of highways 
and bridges. 

April 4, 1831. Voted to raise the sum of $1200 for town 
expenses, and $500 for the support of schools. 

May 11, 1831. In favor of the amendment of the constitu- 
tion of the State 52 votes were cast, and opposed to the amend- 
ment, 16 votes. 

March 5, 1832. The town chose Caleb Abell town cleric; 



200 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 

William Hammond, town treasurer ; Messrs. Lewis Walker, 
Caleb Peck, and Jesse Medbury selectmen. 

" Voted that the committee, chosen by the town to purchase a 
farm, to keep the poop of said town upon, be requested to pro- 
cure a farm agreeable to the vote of said town." Church Gray, 
Samuel Allen, and Simeon Walker, were the committee who 
made the purchase. 

Voted to raise tiie sum of ^1300 for repairing highways and 
bridges. 

April 2, 1832. " Toted to raise the sum ^500 for the sup- 
port of schools ; for the support of the poor, and to pay the 
interest on the money hired on account of the town farm, and 
other current expenses, ,<|5l200; and for money to be paid 
towards the principal of the sum hired on account of the town 
farm, the sum of .'^eoo. 

March 19, 1832. "Voted that when the deed of the town 
farm is received, that has been agreed for, that the treasurer be 
authorized to hire a sum of money not exceeding six hundred 
dollars, to pay for the repairs of the buildings and purchasing 
stock and materials to be put on the town farm, and for in-door 
moveables for the house on said farm." 

Oct. 13, 1832. "Voted that the town consent that Moses 
Brown may straighten the road near Central Bridge, leading 
from said bridge to John Daggett's, by making a good road at 
his own expense, three rods wide, on his own land ; beginning 
at the road leading from said bridge to William Ide's and run- 
ning easterly in the southerly line of Freelove Butterworth's 
land, until it intersects with the old road at the northerly corner 
of John Daggett's land." "And the town consented that 
Moses Brown inclose and improve the old road adjoining his 
land, when the new road is finished; and the town is permitted 
to improve and manage the same, as the other town roads." 

March 4, 1833. The town chose Caleb Abell town clerk ; 
William Hammond, town treasurer; Messrs. Lewis Walker, 
Simeon Walker, and Jesse Medbury selectmen. 

April 1, 1833. Voted to raise the sum of $1300 for the 
repairs of highways and bridges. Voted also to raise $500 for 
the support of schools, and $1900 for town expenses, and for 
paying towards the farm bought by said town. 

March 3, 1834. The town chose Caleb Abell town clerk; 
William Hammond, town treasurer ; and Messrs. Lewis Walker^ 
Simeon Walker, and Jesse Medbury, selectmen. 



HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 201 

April 7, 1834. Voted the sum of ^1300 for repairing high- 
ways and bridges ; ^500, for the support of schools ; and 
^1400, for town expenses. 

April 7, 1834, " Voted to choose a committee to regulate 
the fishery in the Runin's river; and, by vote, Messrs. Nathan 
yc Munroe, Seth Whitm-arsh, Cyrel Read, and Peter H. Wheaton, 
were chosen said committee." 

April 28, 1834. '< Voted that the public good and conveni- 
ence require that there should be innholders and retailers of 
ardent spirits in the town of Seekonk : and also by vote, passed 
the following resolution, namely : Resolved that the town of 
Seekonk approve of the doings of their selectmen, in returning 
innholders and retailers to the county commissioners, to be licen- 
sed ; also, Resolved that the town of Seekonk disapprove 
of the doings of the county commissioners of the county of 
Bristol, in refusing to grant any licenses to innholders and re- 
tailers, for the sale of ardent spirits in said county ; and consider 
it an usurpation of power, and contrary to the spirit of the law 
of the Commonwealth." 

August 11, 1834. « Voted that the selectmen of the town, 
for the time being, be a committee, to see that the Boston and 
Providence Rail-Road Corporation make no encroachments on 
any property belonging to said town, and to conduct for said 
town as they may think proper." 

Nov. 16, 1834. " Voted, that if the Boston and Providence 
Rail Road Company will build a bridge over the rail-road over 
the common, and cause all the necessary roads leading to it to 
be laid out at their expense, and give the town a bonus of 
^1000; in that case, the selectmen are authorized to make a 
contract with the proper agent of the rail-road." 

March 2, 1835. At the annual town-meeting the following 
officers were elected for the ensuing year, viz : Caleb Abell, 
town clerk ; William Hammond, town treasurer ; Lewis Walker, 
Simeon Walker, and Jesse Medbury, selectmen. 



Representatives of Seekonk. 

1812, Oliver Starkweather. 1815, none. 
Q,o 5 Peter Hunt, 1816, Oliver Starkweather. 

Ibid, •^ OHver Starkweather. 1817, Oliver Starkweather. 
1814, Oliver Starkweather. 1818, OUver Starkweather. 
26 



HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 



1719, George W. Walker. 

1820, Peter Hunt. 

1821, Peter Hunt. 

1822, Calvin Martin. 

1823, Robert Daggett. 

1824, Robert Daggett. 

1825, Robert Daggett. 

1826, Robert Daggett. 

1827, Robert Daggett. 

1828, Robert Daggett. 

1829, Weston Carpenter. 



1830, 
1831, 

1832, 

1833, 
1834, 
1835, 

1836, 



C Wooster Carpenter,^ 
I Seth Whitmarsh. 
Wooster Carpenter, 
Seth Whitmarsh. 
Nathaniel Reed, 
Seth Whitmarsh. 
Church Gray. 
Church Gray. 
Church Gray. 
Capt. Lewis Walker, 
William D. Hunt. 



LIST OP SENATORS FROM SEEKONK. 



1815, Hon. James Ellis. 

1816, Hon. James Ellis. 

1817, Hon. James Ellis. 
1821, Hon. Oliver Stark- 
weather. 



1822, Hon. Oliver Stark- 
weather. 

1823, Hon. Oliver Stark- 
weather. 

1833, Hon. Seth Whitmarsh. 
1836, Hon. Seth Whitmarsh- 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



The ecclesiastical history of Seekonk has been partly anti' 
cipated in our history of Rehoboth; as the Congregational 
church of Seekonk was the earliest, and for a long time the 
only, church in Rehoboth ; and the mingling of civil and eccle- 
siastical affairs, in the early period of our history, made it 
necessary, in order to give a connected view of the proceedings 
of the town, that the provisions made by it for the support of 
the gospel, and which occupy so large a space in our early town 
records, should be given in connection with its civil history. The 
ecclesiastical history of this town embraces the history of two 
churches, the Congregational, and the Baptist. 

The Congregational Church. 

The existence of this church is coeval with the first perma- 
nent settlement of Rehoboth, and its history embraces a period 
of one hundred and ninety two years. It was a colony from 
the church of Weymouth, (Mass.) ; and as it constituted a 
majority of that church, including also its pastor, it might very 
justly claim to be considered the principal branch : if so, its 
history goes back into the past, considerably more than two cen- 
turies. But whether we consider this as the original church, mi- 
grating to Rehoboth, or, (as by way of courtesy to the older 
town, we perhaps should do,) a colony from that church ; a 
brief notice of the churches in Weymouth, up to the time of 
this emigration, will not be out of place, in a sketch of this 
church. As the best notice we are able to give, we shall insert 
a part of some notes, appended to a sermon, delivered at the 
dedication of the North meeting house in Weymouth, Novem- 
ber 28, 1832, by the Rev. Josiah Bent, jun, pastor of the first 
church in Weymouth. These notes, to which we have had 
occasion before to refer, were famished by the Hon. Christopher 
Webb, of Weymouth. 



204 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 

"A permanent settlement, at Wessagusset, afterwards caTlecf 
Weymouth, was made in August or September of the year 
1623, by Capt. Robert Gorges, with a considerable company : 
among whom was Mr. William Morrill, an Episcopalian clergy- 
man. Some of the company went to Virginia; some returned 
to England with Capt. Gorges, and some remained. Mr. Mor- 
rill staid about two years ; the last of which, and probably some 
part of the first, he spent in Plymouth, and then returned to 
England. As one object of this settlement was to promote the 
Episcopal forms of worship, and as he had a superintending 
power, as it was called, over all the churches, it seems not too 
much to say that this company were Episcopalians. Some 
time in the next year, 1624, came from Weymouth in England, 
an additional number of settlers, ' who,' says Mr. Prince, ' are 
another sort of people than the former. They have the Rev. 
Mr. Barnard, their first non-conformist Minister, who dies a- 
mong them.' How long he ministered to them is not known. 
It might have been about 1 1 years ; viz : from the time of 
their arrival, to the arrival of Mr. Hull in 1635. He is several 
times mentioned in the book of Records, and always by the 
name of Mr. Barnard, without any other appellation. 

"On the 6th of May, 1635, Mr. Joseph Hull, a minister 
from England, with twenty one families, came and settled in 
Weymouth. In September following, he took the freeman's 
oath. In 1638, he represented the town of Hingham in the 
General Court ; and on the 5th of May, 1639, preached his 
farewell discourse at Weymouth. He did not, however, preach 
in Weymouth much over a year, if any ; for Mr. Thomas Jen- 
ner was there on the 12th of January, or June, 1636, and in 
December following, took the freeman's oath. On the 9th of 
January, 1637, according to Hubbard and Winthrop, ' divers 
of the ministers and elders went to Weymouth to reconcile the 
differences between the people and Mr. Jenner, whom they 
had called there for their pastor, and had good success.' The 
13th of May, 1640, he represented Weymouth in the General 
Court ; but left the place soon after, and went and resided for 
a time in Maine. The duration of his ministry in Weymouth, 
must have been very short. His name is often mentioned in 
the Records. 

" Mr. Robert Lenthal, whom the people had invited to be- 
come their minister, was in Weymouth previously to the 30th 
of January 1638, a sufficient lexigth of time to disseminate his 
new doctrines, mske prc^I;^t<^B, gad collect a strong party to 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 205 

oppose the new organization of the Church, which took place 
on that day. Mather undoubtedly was right in saying he was 
there in 1637. It may then be considered as an historical fact, 
that Mr. Hull, Mr. Jenner and Mr. Lenthal, were in Weymouth 
at the same time. It is said that Mr. Lenthal, in 1640, went 
to Newport ; and after residing there for a time, returned to 
England. The duration of his ministry in Weymouth, could 
not have exceeded a year and an half; and probably was much 
shorter, and, like that of his predecessors, subject to much in- 
terruption and unpleasant occurrence. 

" Mr. Lenthal was succeeded in the ministry by Mr. Samuel 
Newman, in whom all the people united ; and this put an end 
to the commotions and troubles of the five preceding years. He 
was born at Banbury, in England, in 1600; was of Oxford 
University, and an able minister to seven different churches. In 
1638, he came to New England, spent some time at Dorchester, 
and then came to Weymouth, in 1639; where he preached 
about four and an half or five years ; and then emigrated to Re- 
hoboth, with a majority of his church ; where he died, July 5, 
1663. His name is several times mentioned in the Town Re- 
cords ; but nothing relating to his ministry or emigration." 

The Rev. Samuel Newman, as stated above, and as we have 
seen in our civil history of Rehoboth, was minister of the church 
at Weymouth, before the removal of a majority of its members 
to ' Seacunke ;' came with the first settlers of our town, and con- 
tinued their minister till his death, July 5, 1663. [For a full 
account of Mr. Newman, see, supra, History of Rehoboth. 
p. 25, and pp. 54 — 8, inclusive.] 

During Mr. Newman's ministry, a schism broke out in his 
church, deserving of mention here, which occasioned considera- 
ble dissension in the religious affairs of the town. The leader 
on the part of the schismatists, as they were then denominated, 
was Obadiah Holmes, a native of Preston,* in Lancashire, 
(England). The precise date of his emigration to this country 
is not known. He was admitted to the church in Salem, 
(Mass.) March 24, 1639 ;f from this he was excommunicated, 
and, in 1646, removed with his family to Rehoboth, and became 
a member of Mr. Newman's church. Disliking his discipline, 
and some of his tenets, Mr. Holmes and eight others withdrew 

* Morgan Edwards' Ecclesiastical Hist, of R. I., in MS., in the possession of the 
R. I. Hist. Soc. at Providence. From this I have derived many of the facts here re- 
lated. Mr. Benedict was probebly indebted U> tie same source 

t Farmer's Register. 



206 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 

their connection from this church, and established, in 1649, 
what they called a new church. They soon declared for the 
principles of the Baptists, chose Mr. Holmes for their minister, 
and were re-baptised, as it is supposed, by the Rev. Mr. Clark, ^ 
of Newport. Mr. Newman excommunicated them, and incited 
the civil authority against them. Four petitions were lodged at 
court against them : one from Rehoboth, signed by thirty-five 
persons ; one from Taunton ; one from all the clergymen in the 
colony but two ; and one from the government of Massachusetts. 
The Plymouth magistrates merely ordered them to desist from 
practices disagreeable to their brethren ; and Mr. Holmes and 
Joseph Torrey were bound, the one for the other, in the sum of 
ten pounds, for their appearance at court. One of the compa- 
ny promised to comply with the requisition, and was dismissed. 
This occurred in June, 1650. At the next October court, a 
bill of indictment was found by the grand jury, against John 
Hazell, Edward Smith and his wife, Obadiah Holmes, Joseph 
Torrey and his wife, the wife of James Mann, and William 
Buell and his wife, for continuing their meeting from house to 
house, on the Lord's day, contrary to the order of court. 

Soon after this Mr. Holmes removed to Newport, R. I., 
where he succeeded Mr. Clark, minister of the first Baptist 
church there, in 1652 : a part of his adherents in Rehoboth 
removed with him. 

On July 21, 1651, a short time before his removal to New- 
port, Mr. Holmes and some of his associates were seized at 
Lynn, and the next day sent to Boston, and confined in jail, 
charged with the crimes of preaching the gospel, and administer- 
ing the sacrament while under sentence of excommunication, re- 
baptizing persons who had been before baptized, disclaiming 
against the sprinkling of infants, and such like charges. These 
charges being proved against him, he was fined by the court 
£30, to be paid by the first day of the court of Assistants, or 
to be well whipped, and to be kept in prison till it should be 
paid, or security given in for it. He refused to pay the fine, 
and would not even consent to let his friends pay it for him ; 
saying, that, 'to pay it would be acknowledging himself to have 
done wrong, whereas his conscience testified that he had done 
right.' He was accordingly whipped publicly, September, 1 65 1 , 
receiving thirty lashes. In a manuscript of governor Joseph 
Jenks, written more than a hundred years ago, he says, " Mr. 
Holmes was whipped tliirty' stripes, and in such an unmerciful 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 207 

manner, that in many days, if not some weeks, he could take 
no rest, but as he lay upon his knees and elbows, not being able 
to suffer any part of his body to touch the bed whereon he lay." 
Immediately on his being released from the whipping post, his 
friends coming up to congratulate him for the fortitude with 
which he had suffered, two of them, John Hazell and John 
Spur, were apprehended, under the pretence that they meant to 
show contempt for the authorities, and were sentenced to pay 
each forty shillings, or to be whipped. They had determined 
to choose the latter, but their friends paid their fines, and they 
were released. John Hazell belonged to Rehoboth, whither 
he came from Boston. He was upwards of sixty years old, and 
died a few days after he was released, and before he had 
reached home. 

Mr. Holmes died at Newport, October 16, 1682, aged 76 
years, and was buried in his own field, where a tomb was erected 
to his memory. His wife's name was Catharine. He had 
eight children, — Mary, Martha, Lydia, Hopestill, John, Oba- 
diah, Samuel, and Jonathan ; and his descendants, in 1790, 
were estimated at 5000. Obadiah was a judge and a preacher 
in New Jersey, and died at Cohansey. John was a magistrate 
in Philadelphia. One of Obadiah's sons was living in New- 
port, in 1770, at the age of ninety-five. A great-grand-son of 
Mr. Holmes stated to Morgan Edwards, to whose manuscripts I 
have twice referred, that there was a manuscript in the posses- 
sion of the family, which removed into New Jersey, from which 
a full history of his life might be obtained. 

In September, following the death of the Rev. Samuel New- 
man, the Rev. Zachariah Symes was employed to preach, for 
" forty pounds a year, and his diet." By reason of the infirm 
health of Mr. Symes, the town voted " it expedient to look out 
for another godly, able minister, to labor with him in the work 
of the ministry." The same vote was repeated May 15, 1666. 
" May 23, 1666, Mr. Symes was admitted by the town, as an 
inhabitant, to purchase or hire for his money." At the same 
meeting, the Rev. John Myles,* minister of the first Baptist 
church in Swansey, (which church was organized and contin- 
ued a while, in Rehoboth), was invited to preach " once a fort- 
night on the week day, and once on the Sabbath day." Mr. 
Myles was employed to lighten the labors of Mr. Symes. In 

* For an account of the Rev. John Myles, and the organization of his church, see 
tujira, History of Rehoboth, pp. 63—4, inclusive. 



208 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 

the year 1666, we find a Mr. Burkley invited to continue his 
labors among the people, '• in order to the settlement in the 
ministry, if he be approved of." 

In March, 1668, the Rev. Noah Newman, son of the Rev. 
Samuel Newman, was ordained over this church, and continued 
its pastor till his death, April 16, 1678, a period of ten years. 
[For the remaining particulars respecting Mr. Newman, see 
svpra, pp. 57, 58, 87, 91, 119.J 

The successor of Mr. Newman was the Rev. Samuel Angler. 
He commenced preaching here during Mr. Newman's last ill- 
ness ; was settled in 1679 ; and, in consequence of ill-health, 
removed in 1692, or 1693, to Cambridge, the probable place of 
his nativity. [For a further account of Mr. Angier, see, supra, 
History of Rehoboth, pp. 130 — 1.] 

Mr. Angier was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Greenwood, 
a native of Weymouth, (Mass.), and a graduate of Cambridge. 
He was settled over this church, in October, 1693, and contin- 
ued its pastor till his death, September 8, 1720, aged fifty 
years. [For a further account of Mr. Greenwood, see, supra, 
History of Rehoboth, p. 136.] 

The Rev. Thomas Greenwood was succeded in the pastoral 
office by his eldest son, John, who was born at Rehoboth, May 
20, 1697 ; graduated at Cambridge in 1717 ; was married May 
25, 1721, and ordained minister of Rehoboth the same year. 
He had fourteen children, most of which died young. [See 
supra. History of Rehoboth, pp. 136 — 141, inclusive. 

The next minister of this church was the Rev. John Carnes, 
who had previously been settled over a church at Stoneham, 
(Mass.) He was born at Boston, in 1724, graduated at Cam- 
bridge, in 1742, and was installed over this church, April 
18, 1759. 

He commenced preaching in Rehoboth in the autumn of 
1758. We find on the church records, bearing date of Novem- 
ber 9, 1758, a vote of the church, appointing " Deacon Read to 
signify their choice to Mr. Carnes, and desire him to continue 
to preach among them." 

At the installation of Mr. Carnes, the following churches 
were present, viz : the first church in Lynn, the first and second 
churches in Attleborough, the church in Bristol, the church in 
Medfield, the third church in Dedham, and the church in War- 
ren. The introductory prayer was made by the Rev. Mr. 
Townsend, of Warren; the Rev. Mr. Henchman, of Lynn, 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 209 

^preached the installation sermon ; the Rev. Mr. Balch, of Ded- 
ham, gave the charge ; the Rev. Mr. Thatcher, of Attlebor- 
ough, made the prayer after the charge ; and the Rev. Mr. Burt, 
of Bristol, gave the right hand of fellowship. 

From the following record, in the church book, it would seem 
that some opposition was made by a party, though doubtless 
the minority, to the settlement of Mr. Carnes. " The council 
that installed Mr. Carnes, was a mutual council, chosen by those 
that were for his settlement, and by those that opposed it. 
And the votes of the council were unanimous, and in favour of 
pastor and church." 

" The disaffected," according to the language of the records 
above referred to, " continuing, after Mr. Carnes's settlement, to 
make difficulty, councils were called, and results drawn up, and 
published ; from which it appears that the objections made by 
the aggrieved were trifling." — "Upon the 28th of June, 1763, 
a council of eight churches met, at the desire of the parties ; 
and, as every thing in dispute was left to the final decision of 
this council, the parties bound themselves to abide by the result 
of the said council." 

The following is a copy of the agreement to this effect, signed 
by " the aggrieved brethren," with their names attached : 

" Rehoboth, June 28, 1763. 

" Whereas it has been doubted whether the aggrieved 
brethren of the Church and Congregation, in the first parish in 
Rehoboth, have sufficiently bound themselves to abide by the 
result of the Ecclesiastical council, this day convened in this 
place, by virtue of letters missive, signed by the pastor, in the 
name of the church, dated, Rehoboth, May 20, 1763 : We, the 
said aggrieved brethren, of the said Church and Congregation, 
do hereby promise and oblige ourselves to submit all manner of 
difference between us and the pastor and Church aforesaid, to 
the judgment and final decision of the Rev. Mr. Gay, pastor, 
and Jacob Cushing, Esq., delegate, of the first church in Hing- 
ham ; the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Pemberton, pastor, and James 
Halsey, delegate, of the new brick church, in Boston ; the 
Rev. David Hall, pastor, and John Fry, delegate, of the first 
church in Sutton ; the Rev. Nathan Webb, pastor, and John 
Spring, delegate, of the church in Uxbridge ; the Rev. Andrew 
Elliott, pastor, and William Parkman, delegate, of the north 
church in Boston ; the Rev. William Vinall, pastor, and Na- 
27 



210 



HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 



thaniel Cogshall, delegate, of the first church in Newport ; the 
Rev. Elisha Fish, pastor, and Josiah Dean, delegate, of the 
church in Upton ; and the Rev. Amos Adams, pastor, and 
Eleazer Williams, Esq., delegate, of the first church in Roxbu- 
ry, — the council, convened as aforesaid, or the major part of 
them ; and that we will abide by the result and determination 
of said council : — 



" Aaron Read, 
Eleazer Carpenter, 
Nathan Read, 
Elijah Kent, 
John Humphry, 
Obadiah Read, 
John Walker^ 
Samuel MaxweUy 
James Clay, 
Richard Whitaker^ 
Stephen Fry, 
John Smith, 
Allen Jacob, 
John BarstoWy 
Elkanah French, 
John Greenwood, jun., 
Jabez Carpenter, jun., 
Moses Walker, 
Timothy Read, 
Richard Spear,. 
Robert Abell, 

" A true copy. 



John Rowland, 
Caleb Walker, 
John Rowland, Jun., 
Aaron Read, jun., 
Jesse Newman, 
Nathaniel Carpenter, 
David Perrin, 
Abraham Walker, 
William Bucklin, 
Stephen Allen, 
Samuel Mason, 
John Bowen, 
Nathaniel Wheaton,.^ 
Joseph Bridgham, 
Ebenezer Carpenter, 
Nathan Daggett, 
Joshua Abell, 
James Daggett, 
James Read, 
Jonathan Carpenter, 
Comfort Walker. 



^' Attest, Amos Adams, 



Scribe 

of the 

CouncilJ*^ 



The council not only cleared, but commended the pastor, 
and blamed " the aggrieved. " The following extracts from 
their report will serve to give their opinion of Mr. Carnes's con- 
duct in their own words : — " Upon a review of the several arti- 
cles alleged against Mr. Carnes, the evidences by which they 
are supported, and his answer to them, we with pleasure ob- 
serve that nothing has appeared inconsistent with either his 
christian or ministerial character. We have reason to conclude 
that he hath been uncommonly supported under his continued 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 211 

trials and temptations, discovered a serious spirit, and endeav- 
oured in the midst of numberless discouragements, to carry on 
the great design of his ministry." — " Now, since it appears to 
this council that the Rev. Mr. Carnes was regularly installed a 
pastor over the First church of Christ in Rehobolh, by a coun- 
cil mutually chosen, and nothing has been objected to his doc- 
trine, or morals, or ministerial abilities, during the five years he 
has been among them, we must judge that he has done nothing 
to merit a dissolution of the pastoral relation between him and 
his people ; that, therefore, it would be unjust to the Rev. Mr. 
Carnes, and injurious to tlie church under his care, a majority 
of whom, it appears, still adhere to him, to remove him from 
them." 

" The aggrieved instead of abiding by the result of this coun- 
cil," say the church records, " agreeable to their obligation, 
made application to the general court, and by misrepresentations 
otitained a committee to come to Rehoboth, to enquire into all 
matters of controversy, and to endeavor to bring about an ac- 
commodation. Accordingly this committee came, and there 
was a public hearing of every thing in dispute ; after which a 
committee was chosen by each of the parties, to draw up a plan 
of accommodation. And these committees not agreeing, Mr. 
Carnes, of his own accord, made proposals in order to make 
peace by his own removal. He left the matter to the commit- 
tee, and proposed a removal upon certain conditions, which will 
appear by the following copies : — 

" ' A Copy of the Form of Mr. Carnes's Removal, drawn up 
by the Court's Committee, and voted by the Church. 

" ' At a meeting of the Church of Christ, in the First Pre- 
cinct in Rehoboth, Nov. 24th, 1764 : Thomas Clapp, Esq., 
moderator, 

" ' The Church taking into consideration the Rev. Mr. John 
Carnes's request for a dismission from his pastoral office over 
this church and congregation, do hereby express our hearty sor- 
row for the occasion of it, which is not any fault that is found in 
his ministry or moral conduct, but an unhappy alienation of the 
affection of many of his people towards him, and constrains us, 
contrary to our inclination and the good opinion which we have 
always had of him, to comply with his request ; and accordingly 
do hereby vote his dismission from his pastoral relation over this 
church, testifying on his behalf, that his conversation, while with 
us has been blameless as becometh the gospel, and hath in all 
things approved himself an able and faithful minister of Jesus 



212 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 

Christ ; and as such do recommend him to all christian people, 
where God in his providence shall call him to preach his holy 
word, or to settle in the work of the gospel ministry.' " 

" * Copy of the Result of the Committee from the General 
Court. 

" * Rehoboth, Nov. 24th, 1764. 

" ' We, the subscribers, appointed and chosen, to hear all mat" 
ters of difference and controversy between the Rev. Mr. John 
Carnes and the First Precinct in Rehoboth, where he is minister, 
and to endeavor an accommodation between them ; and after a 
full hearing of all parties, and all objections against him, we do 
hereby testify to the world on his behalf, that there was nothing 
offered, or so much as pretended to be offered, against his mor- 
al character; but his whole conduct, through so many trials and 
temptations, (human frailties excepted,) appeared to be blame- 
less. But there appeared an unhappy alienation of affection in 
his people to him, and incurable, which was the true cause of 
our advising to his separation ; and, in our opinion, he hath in 
no measure forfeited his ministerial character ; but, from the tes- 
timony of many of his people, we have reason to believe, that 
in the course of his ministry he hath approved himself a good 
minister of Jesus Christ. And, notwithstanding any thing that 
has appeared to us, we can, and do, recommend him as such to 
all christian people. 

*' ' George Leonard,^ 

Benjamin Lincoln, 

Daniel Howard, ^Committee.'* 

Thos. Clapp, 

Edward Sheaffe, 

In compliance with his request, and with the advice of the 
above committee, Mr. Carnes was dismissed from his pastoral 
connection with this church, December 4, 1764, by a council, 
convened at his house by the desire of the church. 

Mr. Carnes soon left Rehoboth, and removed to Boston, the 
place of his nativity, where he remained till the evacuation of 
that city by the British troops, in July of 1776. He then en- 
tered the American army as chaplain, and continued to the 
close of the war. 

He then removed to Lynn,* (Mass.), where h« received the 
commission of a justice of the peace, and was nine years elected 

• Hist, of Lynn, by Alonzo Lewis, pp. 194—^5 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 213 

a representative to the General court. In 1788, he was a mem- 
ber of the convention to ratify the constitution of the United 
States. " He sustained through hfe," says Mr. Lewis, " a 
good reputation, and was esteemed a patriotic and useful citi- 
zen. His wife was Mary Lewis, daughter of Mr. John Lewis, 
of Lynn ; and on removing to Lynn, after the death of her fa- 
ther, he fixed his residence at the ' Lewis place,' in Boston 
street. He had several children, two of whom, in 1829, were 
living in Boston, — John, the eldest son, and Mary Wardsworth, 
the youngest daughter. Mr. Carnes died at Lynn, October 20, 
1802, aged 78 years. 

The next minister of this church was the Rev. Ephraim 
Hyde, who was ordained May 14, 1766. He was a native 
of Pomfret, Ct. ; graduated at Yale College, in 1758 ; 
was pastor of this church seventeen years, and died October 
11, 1783; aged forty-five years. — He married, in 1767, 
Mary Angier, daughter of the Rev. John Angier, the first min- 
ister of the east parish of Bridgewater. His children were, 
Ephraim, who resided in East Bridgewater, where he died in 
1834; John, Samuel, Ezra and Mary. Mary died in 1790, 
aged 15. On the death of her husband, Mrs. Hyde, with her 
children, returned to Bridgewater, where she died in 1788, aged 
forty-eight. John is a physician, and he and Samuel went to 
Freeport, Me. Ezra married Patty, daughter of Joseph Ames, 
of Bridgewater, in 1805. He lived and died in Boston, and 
after his death his family returned to Bridgewater. Ephraim, 
the eldest son of the Rev. Mr. Hyde, married Mary Dresser, 
of Pomfret, Ct. Their children were, Mary, born 1795; 
Ledyard, born 1796; EHza, born 1798 ; Augustus, born 1801 ; 
Nathan Dresser, born 1803; and Orinda, born 1805, and died 
1812. EHza married Wallace Rust, Esq., of East Bridgewa- 
ter; Augustus follows the seas ; Nathan D. married, in 1833, 
Elizabeth C. Mitchell, daughter of the Hon. Judge Mitchell, of 
East Bridgewater, and resides in Boston.* The Rev. Mr. 
Hyde was much beloved by his people to whom his labors 
were highly useful. He was interred in the old burying ground 
near his church. 

Mr. Hyde was succeeded by the Rev. John Ellis. He was born 
at Cambridge, (Mass.), in 1727, and graduated at Cambridge 
University in 1750. He was settled as a minister, at Norwich, 

' * I have been enabled to give the genealogy of Mr. Hyde's family a little more mi- 
nutely than usual, by aid of Judge Mitchell's MS. Hist, of Bridgewater. 



214 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 

Ct., till the commencement of the Revolutionary war, when he 
entered the American army as chaplain, and continued during the 
whole war. He was installed over this church March 30, 1785, 
and dismissed, at his own request, in 1796, in consequence of 
old age and infirmities. After his dismissal, he returned to 
Norwich, where he died in 1805 or 1806, at the age of seven- 
ty-eight. His son, James Ellis, Esq., graduated at Brown uni- 
versiiy ; became a distinguished lawyer ; located himself for a 
while at Rehoboth, whence he removed to Taunton, where he 
now resides. 

During Mr. Ellis's ministry, a long series of difficulties arose 
between him and the precinct, which, from the degree to which 
they engrossed the attention of the majority of the town at the 
time, as well as from their singularity and interest, deserve, per- 
haps, more than a passing notice. The following is a brief ac- 
count of these occurrences. 



Difficulties in the first Precinct in Rehoboth, and 
AN Account of the " Long Meeting." 

In giving an account of these unpleasant occurrences, destruc- 
tive alike to the interests of religion, and the peace and pros- 
perity of society, I have endeavoured to divest myself of the 
prejudices of party, and to state the truth, on whatever side it 
may have been found to lie. A narrative of these difficulties 
was published and circulated in a pamphlet at the time of their 
occurrence, by James Ellis, Esq. son of the Rev. John Ellis ; 
and which, notwithstanding the author's almost insurmountable 
temptations to partiality, is said to be, to a good degree, a fair and 
impartial statement. Of this I have here made a free use, re- 
touching only what might seem to take the tinge of party. 

' In the year 1784, the first precinct in the town of Rehoboth 
being destitute of a Congregational minister, applied to, and en- 
gaged the Rev. John Ellis to supply them. 

' After having preached with them upon probation, the church 
gave him a call to settle with them ; and on the tenth day of 
November, A. D. 1784, the inhabitants of the precinct, at a 
lawful meeting, called for that purpose by vote, unanimously con- 
curred with the church in the choice of Mr. Ellis. The precinct 
at the same meeting, voted the sum of ninety pounds, (which 
at an after meeting they, by vote, raised to one hundred pounds,) 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 215 

should be given Mr. Ellis for his yearly salary, while he con- 
tinued in the work of the ministry among them ; they also voted 
to raise the sum that might be necessary to discharge the salary, 
by an assessment on the polls and estates of the inhabitants of 
the precinct. The precinct soon after, by a committee chosen 
for that purpose, officially informed Mr. Ellis of these proceed- 
ings, and that the union of the inhabitants in the choice of him 
was very great. 

' Mr. Ellis having received this information, appeared on the 
27th of December, 1784, in open meeting of the precinct, and 
gave his answer in common form, signifying his acceptance of 
their unanimous choice, and his perfect confidence in the punctu- 
al fulfilment of their promises. Pursuant to the aforesaid call 
and answer, on the 30th day of March, 1785, Mr. Ellis, by a 
mutual council called for that purpose, agreeably to the known 
usages and customs of the Congregational churches in the com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts, was installed to the pastoral care 
and charge of the church and congregation, in the first precinct 
in the town of Rehoboth. 

' Precinct matters now assumed an agreeable aspect, love 
and friendship were prevalent ; the people rejoicing in their 
pastor, at the same time he was rendering thanks to Almighty 
God, who had made him the subject of their unanimous choice. 
Great and conspicuous was their christian fellowship ; their good 
order and unity seemed so well established, that their happiness 
and tranquility appeared to the prophetic eye to be commensu- 
rate with life.' 

But these bright prospects were soon overshadowed with 
clouds, which were ere long to pour their fury upon the heads 
of both minister and people. 

At his settlement, as has been already noticed, the inhabit- 
ants of the first precinct in Rehoboth, contracted to give Mr. 
Ellis one hundred pounds annually, for his support during his 
ministry among them ; and voted to raise the same sum, or 
whatever part of it should be found needful, by taxation. This 
was, of course, their free and voluntary act. About thirty pounds 
of the salary were raised from funds held by the precinct. 
These funds the committee of the precinct, in the capacity of 
trustees, had power to loan and receive interest from, ' which 
they were bound to apply to the support of a Congregational 
minister, residing and officiating in the work of the gospel min- 
istry within that precinct.' 



216 HISTOBY OF SEEKONK. 

All things went well with the people, for some time ; and all 
were contented, so long as the minister could preach without 
calling for his salary. Thus affairs continued for four years, the 
salary unpaid, the minister distressed, and the debt of the pre- 
cinct accumulating. Mr. Ellis, compelled by necessity, began 
to call for the payment of his salary ; and the precinct, at the 
annual March meeting, four years after the instalment, made 
grants of money sufficient to discharge it, and ordered the same 
to be raised by assessments. But here their labours stopped, 
and went not beyond their vote ; ' and in no one instance,' says 
the Narrative, ' was an assessment made and carried into com- 
plete execution. Though they begun a good work, yet, being 
destitute of the grace of perseverance, they failed in its final 
completion, and brought difficulties to themselves and all con- 
cerned.' 

' A number of the precinct expressed great dissatisfaction at 
the ungenerous usage of Mr. Ellis ; and, by their request a 
meeting of the precinct was called, and, when assembled, they 
chose assessors, and ordered seventy-one pounds, twelve shil- 
lings and four pence, to be assessed in the mode pointed out in 
the vote before recited ; this sum, together with the interest 
money, was sufficient to discharge the first year's salary.' 

' The assessors, pursuant to their appointment, made the as- 
sessment, and delivered the rate-streaks to an officer, with a 
warrant, directing him to make an impartial collection. This 
procedure offended some, and disgusted others : to support a 
minister by a tax was now judged criminal. While the minis- 
ter could live without his salary, and no one was called upon for 
his support, all was peace — all was harmony and friendship; 
he was a christian indeed. Reverse the scene, and mark the 
change. As soon as an assessment is made for the salary, and 
the collectors call on the assessed for the money, various com- 
plaints are heard ; many think it a grievous thing to pay a minis- 
ter, — a hireling, as he is termed, is an odious being — such an 
one cannot be a good man ; new discoveries are made, new 
principles of religion are adopted ; in short, they are quite of- 
fended with a minister who has the audacity to request a fulfil- 
ment of their contract.' 

It should here be remarked that the precinct, at this time, 
were by no means all Congregationalists. There were six or 
seven Baptist churches in the different parts of the town, to 
which some of the inhabitants of the precinct belonged. The 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 217 

^sks of these in some instances, were supplied by men who 
had rushed from the plow into the pulpit, exchanging the ' frock 
of tow' for the ' gown of black,' or in some cases literally re- 
taining it ; and, with scarcely learning enough to read their 
texts, had commenced open war upon the whole educated min- 
istry, declaiming strongly against ' dictionary larning,' ' black 
coats,' ' fat salaries,' 3ind ^ hireling priests,' These men la- 
boured on their farms or in their shops during the week, and on 
the Sabbath preached for little or no compensation. Their zeal 
made way for their arguments to the understandings, while their 
practice addressed itself to the pockets of many. Aside from 
these things, others were decidedly opposed to supporting the 
ministry by a tax, who would, perhaps, have given liberally to 
a subscription for that purpose. Such was the state of things 
when Mr. Ellis came to Rehoboth. Backus, speaking of Mr. 
Ellis's salary, and the mode of raising it, says, " this sum was 
voted by but little naore than twenty men, and near three hun- 
dred men were taxed to pay it." These meetings were regu- 
larly called, and if the majority of the individuals of the precinct 
did not attend, but suffered themselves to be ruled by the mi- 
nority, it was their own fault ; and, provided a quorum assem- 
bled, the whole precinct were bound to abide by their proceed- 
ings. If they had made contracts, and voted to raise money to 
fulfil them, there was no alternative for the precinct, so far as 
the past was concerned, but to discharge them according to 
agreement, in the same manner as though the whole precinct 
had voted in making them. The past could not be remedied ; 
the future alone, if the voice of the majority had not been ex- 
pressed, was at their control, either to continue the present 
course, or strike out a different one. But the majority of the 
precinct, being dissatisfied with Mr. Ellis, on his calling for his 
salary, endeavoured to provide not only for the future, but flat- 
tered themselves that by their vote they could annul also the 
past. A meeting of the precinct, after having been legally 
warned, was holden Sept. 7, 1789, at which it was voted, " that 
all collections of money, by way of tax, be postponed till further 
orders of the parish ; and that the treasurer and collectors of 
said parish are directed by said parish to govern themselves ac- 
cordingly." And at another lawful meeting of the precinct, 
holden March 8, 1790, it was voted, " that the precinct assessors 
call on the former collector for his rate streaks, together with his 
28 



<>Ig 



HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 



warrant and money, and an account of what money he has cof- 
lected, and of whom collected." 

' By the assessment made and collected, as has been related, 
Mr. Ellis was not benefited, for no part of the money collected 
was paid to him, though to raise the arrearages of his first year's 
salary, were the ostensible objects of the assessment.' 

Mr. Ellis's situation now was far from being pleasant. ' It 
was now five years since his instalment, and he had received 
but a very inconsiderable sum towards his salary ; his friends 
had voluntarily afforded him some supphes ; but as to any help 
or assistance from the precinct, as such, their last before-men- 
tioned votes and proceedings forbade his indulging the least 
hope or expectation.' 

Placed In such a situation, his only alternative to recover his 
salary, for the support of his family and the payment of the 
debts he had necessarily contracted, was to commence a suit at 
law. Averse to such a disagreeable resort, he for a long time 
delayed it, hoping that some settlement would be made ; but 
seeing that out of the question, in compliance with the advice 
of his friends, he brought his action against the precinct for the 
recovery of his salary. The precinct chose agents "to appear 
at court, and defend the suit, brought by the Rev. John EHis, 
to recover his salary." The action was tried at a court of 
Common Pleas, by a jury, who gave in for the plaintiff, estab- 
lished the contract, and judgment was rendered thereon. The 
precinct then appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court, where 
they were again defaulted, and the plaintiff had judgment. 

These decisions were by no means gratifying to the precinct ; 
and they next endeavored to get rid of their minister. At a 
meeting held Feb. 7, 1791, the precinct voted agreeably 
to the third article in the warrant for the meeting, that 
the precinct do not agree that the Rev. John Ellis shall of- 
ficiate as a minister in said precinct, at the expense of said pre- 
cinct ;" also voted " That the precinct clerk notify the Rev. 
John Ellis of the same, by giving him an attested copy." '' Thus 
they flattered themselves,' says the Narrative, ' that they had 
. iischarged their minister, and boasted much of their novel and 
short method of dismission.' 

At this period, the church and other friends of Mr. Ellis^ 
living in the precinct, were called by the precinct, "The socie- 
ty attending on the Rev. Mr. John Ellis's preaching ;" the other 



I 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. S19 

Jiiba^itants of the precinct, who were on the opposition, styling 
themselves " The Precinct," and considering themselves, by- 
virtue of tlieir vote last aforesaid, wholly discharged from their 
original contract. At a meeting lawfully called, and holden 
Sept. 5, 1791, by the precinct, they passed the following vote, 
viz. " That if the society attending on the Rev. Mr. John 
Ellis's preaching, will settle with the aforesaid Mr. Ellis, and 
pay him his demand from time to time, as it becomes due, for 
his services as their minister, and pay all costs and charges, the 
precinct hath been put to, on account of the action said 
Ellis hath brought against said precinct, for his back salary, 
and save the precinct harmless, so that neither tax nor suit shall 
he brought against the inhabitants of said precinct for the sup- 
port or maintenance of the Rev. Mr. Ellis aforesdd, in future ; 
then, and in that case, the payment being made as aforesaid, 
the precinct doth agree, that the society aforesaid shall an- 
nually receive the interest arising on the precinct's money, so 
long as they continue the Rev, Mr. John Ellis as their minis- 
ter ; and that said society enjoy the privilege of the precinct's 
meeting-house on sabbath days, to attend public worship in, so 
long as they continue the aforesaid Mr. Elhs to preach in said 
house." 

The society took no notice of this offer, knowing that the 
property, from the conditions on which it was given, belonged to 
the Congregational society, and felt themselves under no ob- 
hgation to the precinct for offering to give them what necessari- 
ly belonged to them, (they being the only Congregational soci- 
ety in the precinct), on condition that they would pay the pre- 
cinct's debts. 

We now approach what is called " The Long Meeting.''^ 
At a meeting of the precinct, Sept. 26, 1791, it was voted, 
*' That the door-keeper be directed by this precinct not to open 
the doors of the meetinghouse in said precinct after the 17th 
day of October next, on any pretence whatever, except for some 
public town-meeting, or funeral occasions, or by order of the 
trustees of said precinct, or by request of the committee hereaf- 
ter to be chosen to supply the desk in said house." At the 
same meeting the precinct chose a committee to supply the 
desk. One of this committee was a member of a Baptist church 
in Providence, the second constantly attended the Baptist meet- 
ing, and the third publicly declared himself a Baptist. 

The time fixed upon by the precinct for closing the meeting- 



gSu HISTORY OF SEEKONK^ 

house doors, was the week in which the Supreme Judicial Court 
was to sit in the county of Bristol, when it was expected that 
Mr. Ellis would obtain judgment to recover his salary. Mr. 
Ellis and his people continued to meet as usual in the house for 
worship till the sabbath after the vote was to go into effect. On 
this day they assembled as usual, but found the doors shut and 
doubly barred, and that no admittance could be obtained without 
violence. Some of the leading men of the precinct party ap- 
pearing, they were requested for the key, that Mr. Ellis and his 
church and people, mightenter, to celebrate the public worship of 
God. This they refused, saying that it could be had only in the 
the way pointed out by the precinct in their last mentioned vote^ 
After waiting till they were satisfied that no admittance would 
be given, Mr. Ellis and his people retired, and the meeting- 
house remained shut during the day. 

'The sabbath following, being the 31st of October, A. D, 
1791, Mr. Ellis, at the request of his church and people, re- 
paired to the meeting-house. When he arrived the doors were 
again found shut and barred, and also people of the disaffected 
party placed at each door, to prevent any admittance. The 
particulars of this transaction are too many to be given in detail ; 
suffice it to say, that after waiting, perhaps a quarter of an 
hour, the doors were opened, and a certain man, by the name 
of Northrop, from Narraganset, (a place so called, in Rhode 
Island state), a Baptist elder, who had been previously engaged 
by the disaffected, entered the pulpit. Soon after Mr. Ellis 
came in and advanced towards the pulpit ; but when he came 
to the stairs, he was so violently opposed by two men, seated on 
them for that purpose, that he found it impracticable to pro- 
ceed. The persons on the stairs who made resistance, were or- 
dered by authority to withdraw, but they did not obey. The 
men who were seated on the stairs, and made the forcible re- 
sistance, were afterwards called upon, in a legal manner, to an- 
swer for their conduct in that particular, and were adjudged 
guilty of a breach of the peace, and sentenced to pay costs of 
prosecution, amounting to ninety-Jive pounds, fifteen shillings, 
and eleven pence, — a high price for a seat upon the stairs in a 
decayed meeting-house.' 

On the next sabbath the precinct employed the Rev. Isaac 
Backus, a distinguished Baptist minister of Middleborough, and 
author of the history of the Baptists that bears his name, — to 
preach for them ; and at the same time doubled the number of 



ECCLfiSlASTlCAL HISTORY. 2St 

the guard on the pulpit stairs. Mr. Ellis and his society being 
now convinced that the object of the precinct was to introduce 
and establish a Baptist denomination, and wholly shut them out 
of the meeting-house, repaired to Mr. Ellis's house, and were 
compelled for a while to worship in private houses. 

Here it should be observed, that at the time when the precinct 
passed the vote for shutting up the meeting-house, they also 
voted and ordered their trustees, " to sell the securities belong- 
ing to the precinct (as they worded the vote) for the most they 
would sell for in money." * The same securities were a part of 
the fund ; and by the express condition on which they were 
lodged and entrusted with the committee of the precinct, they 
were absolutely forbidden to use or expend any part of the 
principal, for any purpose whatever.' 

At a lawfully warned meeting of the precinct, Dec. 5, 1791, 
it was voted, "That one of the former chosen to supply the desk, 
on his request be dismissed, and another chosen." The one now 
chosen was a member of a Baptist church in the town of Swan- 
zey ; so that two of the present committee were now professed 
Baptists, and the third a nominal one. They also directed the 
same committee to agree with the Rev. Philip Slade, a Baptist 
minister, to supply the desk in the meeting-house of the pre- 
cinct, as a precinct minister, for the term of three months from 
the time of passing the vote. 

Mr. Ellis and his society now became convinced that no rea- 
sonable accommodation was to be looked for from the precinct, 
and that redress must be sought from another, and a higher 
source. 

'In this situation, considering the benefit of the fund, and the 
use of the meeting house to be of importance to them and their 
posterity, Mr. Ellis's church and people applied to the General 
Court of the Commonwealth ; and by a petition expressive of 
the facts, and representative of their peculiar situation, suppli 
cated them to incorporate the petitioners into a body politic ; 
vested Avith equal and similar powers, privileges and immuni- 
ties, as precincts then were, or might be, in the Commonwealth. 
The precinct made great opposition, and used every means to 
prevent the prayer of the petitioners being granted. This may 
be collected from the following vote, passed at a lawful meeting 
of the precinct, May 21st, 1792, in this form, viz : " That the 
agent chosen by said precinct to appear at the General Court, 
is directed to use his best endeavours to prevent a petition 



222 HISTORY OF SEEKONKe 

presented to said court, for an act of incorporation, by Ephraim 
Starkweather and others, passing ; and employ counsel, if ne- 
cessary, for that purpose." ' 

The General Court, believing the petitioners to have been in- 
jured, and that their religious rights had been invaded, granted, 
by a great majority, the request of the petitioners. The follow- 
ing are the title and preamble to the act of incorporation : 

*' Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

" In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and 
ninety-two. 

" An Act to incorporate certain persons, by the name of the 
Congregational Society, in the Jirst precinct, in the 
town of Rehoboth, in the county of Bristol, whereof the 
Rev. John Ellis is the present pastor — and for repealing 
an Act made and passed in the year of our Lord 1762, en- 
titled, ' An Act to invest the committee of the first precinct 
in Rehoboth, with corporate powers for certain purposes 
therein mentioned.^ 

" Whereas in and by said act, the said precinct, in their cor- 
porate capacity, are authorized annually to appoint a committee, 
who shall be a body corporate, by the name of the trustees in 
the first precinct in Rehoboth, with power and authority to re- 
ceive the sum of six hundred pounds, and the same to manage 
and conduct, until the same, with other additional funds, shall 
amount to the sum of twelve hundred pounds ; and the interest 
of said sum to appropriate and pay to the minister of the Con- 
gregational church, residing and officiating in the work of the 
ministry, within the said precinct forever. And whereas, from a 
change in the religious sentiments and professions of the inhabit- 
ants of said precinct, those who constitute said church, and are 
adherents to the Congregational order or denomination of chris- 
tians, are become the minority of said precinct, by means 
whereof, the fitness and propriety of said precinct's appropri- 
ating said committee or trustees cease : And the persons 
hereafter named, being the church aforesaid, and the principal 
part of said Congregational order or denomination of christians, 
having petitioned this court to be incorporated, for the purpose 
of managing and conducting the funds and estate of every de- 
scription, holden for, or belonging to the said Congregational so- 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY- 223 

diety, or appropriated to the support of a minister of the Con- 
gregational church, residing and officiating in the work of the 
ministry within the said precinct. 

" Therefore he it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
of the same, That the aforesaid recited act, and every clause 
and part thereof, be, and are hereby repealed." 

The court then proceeded to incorporate the petitioners, 
mentioning them severally by name, being seventy-one in num- 
ber. And by said act of incorporation, among other things, it 
was enacted, " That said petitioners, and all such other inhabit- 
ants of the said first precinct in Rehoboth, as by a major vote 
of the society, hereby constituted, be admitted to the benefits 
thereof, at a regular meeting of the qualified voters, called for 
that purpose, be, and they are hereby incorporated into a dis- 
tinct religious society, by the name of the Congregational So- 
ciety in the first precinct in the town of Rehoboth ; and are 
hereby vested with all the powers, privileges and immunities, 
that precincts or parishes within this commonwealth do, or may 
enjoy. Further, it is enacted that the trustees of said Congre- 
gational society shall be, and they are, hereby, empowered to 
take, hold, receive, and manage, all the estate and rights of 
property of every kind, both real and personal, which do, or 
hereafter may, appertain and belong to the Congregational soci- 
ety, or are legally appropriated to the use and support of a Con- 
gregational minister in the first precinct in Rehoboth ; and also 
such other grants, appropriations, and donations, real or per- 
sonal, as have been, or hereafter may be, made for the pur- 
poses aforesaid. And said trustees, in the said capacity, are 
empowered to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, to 
answer and be answered unto, to defend and be defended against, 
in all courts and places, and before all persons and judges what- 
soever, in all singular suit and suits, causes and actions, of what 
kind soever." 

The bill, after three readings in the House of Representa- 
tives, and two in the Senate, passed to be enacted, and was ap- 
proved by the governor, June 23, 1792. 

The trustees of the incorporated society now called on the 
trustees of the precinct for the possession of the meeting house, 
and also demanded the monies which had been entrusted with 
them for the support of a Congregational minister, residing 
and officiating in the work of the ministry wnthin said precinct. 



224 HISTORY OF SEEKONK. 

The precinct refused compliance ; but continued to hold the 
meeting house, and make what use of the monies they pleased. 
The incorporated society now appealed to the strong arm of the 
law, for the recovery of what had been decided to be their 
rights. Two actions, for this purpose were commenced ; one 
for the recovery of the fund, which was brought in the common 
course of civil actions ; the other, for obtaining possession of 
the meeting house, was brought under the statute of forcible en- 
try and detainer. To recover, in this form of action, it was ne- 
cessary for the Congregational society to prove, in addition to 
* forcible entry,' that the house was forcibly detained from them. 
Although the society were satisfied, that, should they attempt 
to enter and take possession of the house, they would be resist- 
ed and prevented ; still they must make the attempt, and show 
that they were forcibly excluded, in order to convince others. 
To reduce this to a certainty, the society resolved to assemble 
at their usual time on the sabbath, and, by their trustees, intro- 
duce their ordained minister, Mr. Ellis, and request him, in be- 
half of the society, to officiate. From an attempt of this kind, 
arose the story of " The Long Meeting ;" an occurrence of 
such novel and interesting scenes, that I shall give it entire, in 
the words of the * Narrative,' which was written from actual ob- 
servation. 

" The story is, in brief, as follows : — On a succeeding sab- 
bath, the trustees of the society called upon Mr. Ellis, and re- 
quested him to officiate for the society that day. He complied 
— was conducted to the meeting house, and introduced to the 
desk. Some of the inhabitants of the precinct had previously 
possessed themselves of the house. Elder Philip Slade, with 
certain others, were in the desk. The trustees informed the 
people assembled, that they had requested Mr. Ellis, their right- 
ful and ordained minister, to attend and officiate ; whom the 
church and society wished to hear. No sooner had this infor- 
mation been given, and the request made, than the elder rose, 
and began reading aloud ; and, by the elevation of his voice, 
and the rapidity of his utterance, seemed to drown all other 
voices, and not to give an opportunity for any other person to 
be heard. 

" In this way the meeting continued for some time ; at length, 
an opportunity offering, one of the trustees rose and command- 
ed silence — urged the right of the society to use and occupy 
the house without molestation. He was not regarded — reason 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. dS5 

had lost her empire — frenzy and blind enthusiasm were her 
substitute. The elder, with his assistants, were in constant em- 
ploy^ — reading, singing, and exhorting, were the different 
branches of the exercise. In fine, nought could be heard but 
loud vociferations — raised cantations, and frightful exhorta- 
tions — issuing from warm hearts, and warmer passions. The 
astonished temple, with its new occupants, trembled and 
mourned ; the direful dirge being echoed and re-echoed ; not 
Etna's eruptions are more dreadful, or the howl of beasts of 
prey more alarming to the lonesome traveller, than such worship 
to a man of sober, serious reflection — who contemplates the 
Being he worships as possessed of divine attributes ; — who re- 
gards the heart, and observes the motives that prompt to wor- 
ship. The enthusiastic reflects not — enthusiasm is reason run 
wild ; whatever is novel — whatever is strange and alarming, 
increases the enthusiasm, and is thought really and truly divine; 
hence the invention is prompt, the zeal fervent, and neither 
flesh or spirit can have rest. 

"Mr. Ellis, observing these proceedings, and noticing the zeal 
and warmth of those who officiated ; sensible that he should not 
be permitted to perform the duties of the sanctuary without dis- 
turbance, retired from the house, and left the zealots to perform 
and conclude their exercises at pleasure. The meeting was 
continued much in the same manner as before ; singing, reading 
and exhorting, made a complete chain of exercise from 
nine of the clock in tlie forenoon, to nine of the clock in the af- 
ternoon. At this time there seemed to be a breakage in the 
tone, and one of the trustees of the society then observed that 
he thought it an unseasonable hour, for the people to continue 
assembled — he desired them to retire that the house might be 
shut and secure. At the same time he informed the people, 
that a lecture was appointed to be holden there the next morn- 
ing at nine of the clock ; still many refused to leave the house, 
and several continued in possession of it through the night. 
Early the next morning the meeting was begun and held much 
in the same manner it was the day before. At nine of the 
clock in the forenoon, the trustees waited on Mr. Ellis and in- 
troduced him to the pulpit, and informed the people, that agree- 
ably to appointment the evening before, they had repaired to the 
house for the purpose of holding a lecture, and wished the 
people to observe that order and decorum suitable on such at 
occasion. As soon as these words were uttered, clamor, jar* 
29 



226 HlSTfVRY OF &EEKO^Fff<r 

gon and confusion ensued. Some time after the trustees re^ 
Slewed their request ; observed the illegality and injustice of 
any people forcibly, and in a tumultuous way, preventing the 
society from the use and occupation of their house. They 
commanded silence, and demanded the peaceable possession ; 
warning any one who should further interrupt, that he would be 
dealt with as a transgressor of the laws of the commonwealth. 
His admonition was disregarded, and a mixture of exercise again 
begun. 

" The trustees waited for some time, expecting that there 
would be a cessation, or that the exercises would be concluded ; 
but finding their zeal, ardor, enthusiasm and warmth increasing 
with their continuance in exercise ; that requests and demands 
for the quiet and peaceable possession of the house were of no 
avail — the trustees, with Mr. Ellis, retired once more from the 
noise and confusion, and never formally took possession of the 
house again, till they obtained it by judgment of law. The 
meeting, however, did not thus end ; it was continued for near 
a fortnight, day and night. A variety of characters exhibited 
on this emergency, and a variety of matters were exhibited. 
If it was not a school of morality, it was of novelty and 
wonders, 

" At sometimes singing, at other times exhorting ; and a third 
part of the exercise, was reading, with a mixture of sympathize 
ing sighs, sounds and tones. Sometimes, to complete the rarity, 
they resolved into a precinct meeting ; a moderator was chosen 
— this could be easily done on this occasion, though notification 
had not been given. At some times, not more than three per- 
sons would be in the pulpit, at other times the pulpit was 
crowded, and the stairs thronged with reinforcements. Being 
thus prepared, there was scarcely any cessation ; for when one 
performer was fatigued or exhausted, another was at hand to 
supply his place. When they were generally fatigued, and the 
bodies had become weak, through constant and unwearied exer- 
tions, and required sustenance^ provisions were supplied ; if the 
spiritual part failed, the corporeal part was sure to be refreshed 
and invigorated ;■ this naturally led them to conclude that every 
needed aid was granted. Thus the meeting was continued, and 
such was their worship. What soul could be benefited, or what 
being glorified thereby, I am at a loss to determine. 

" This was all done under an idea, that they possessed a true 
zeal for pure and undefiled religion. Was the cloak sufficient 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. Sa? 

\o cover the deception ? Could not the eye of reason, by an 
impartial investigation, penetrate the mask, and discover motives 
very foreign from religious ones? The meeting, however, 
■finally came to an end ; those persons of the society, who had 
attended and observed their proceedings, retired ; the others 
ceased their worship and left the house." 

The society, by the process entered into by them against the 
precinct, under the statute of forcible entry and detainer, ob- 
tained possession of the meeting house. This induced the pre- 
cinct to procure a writ of ejectment. This form of action 
brought the title of the meeting-house regularly and legally in 
question, the decision of which would be final to both parties. 
This, and the action for the recovery of the fund, were pending 
for a long time. Ancient records were searched, and hidden 
things brought to view. They at length came to a trial ; and 
in both the society were successful. In the one they recovered 
their costs ; it appearing that the precinct, as a precinct, had 
no title to the meeting-house they had sued for ; in the other, 
the said society had judgment to recover the funds sued for, and 
their costs ; it appearing that ' the intentions of the original do- 
nors, in giving the fund, were for the benefit of Congregation- 
alists, and none other.' From both of these decisions the 
precinct appealed to the Supreme Judicial court ; at which 
court, at Taunton, in the October term, 1794, both cases were 
tried and determined. " The court, knowing the disputes had 
been of long continuance ; that a great number of people felt 
interested in the event ; and that, for the peace and order of the 
inhabitants in the aforesaid precinct, it was necessary that there 
should be a final and solemn decision in the actions, granted ev- 
ery reasonable and legal indulgence to the parties, A very 
full and candid hearing, continuing for two days and a half, was 
given both by judges and jurors. All records, from the settle- 
ment of the town of Rehoboth, were brought into view, the 
facts fully stated, and the law candidly considered. Counsel, 
learned and experienced in the law, were employed on both 
sides. The judges, in their several charges to the juries, in a 
summary, though plain manner, stated the facts, explained the 
points of the law referred to, and insisted upon in the trials. 
The juries to whom the causes were committed, returned ver- 
dict in favour of the society ; thereby comporting with the ver- 
dicts of the juries at the court of common pleas." Thus were 
these long and unpleasant contentions, at last, terminated. 



HISTORY OF SEEKONK, 

Mr. Ellis was succeeded by the Rev. John Hill, a native of 
Lewistown, in the state of Delaware. He was born February 
11, 1759; was educated at Lewistown ; and began to preach No- 
vember 29, 1787. He was employed as an itinerant preacher, 
in the Methodist connexion, in the southern and New England 
states, (in the latter he preached principally in Lynn, Waltham, 
and Boston,) till about the year 1795 ; when he dissolved his 
connexion with the Methodists, and taught a school, for eight 
years, in Warren, R. L He was installed over this church, 
September 22, 1802. Here, in addition to his pastoral duties, 
he kept a private school throughout the year, and was a popular 
teacher of the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages, and also 
of the various departments of English literature. Mr. Hill was 
very much beloved by the people of his charge, and especially 
by the children and youth. He continued his pastoral services, 
and preached on the Sabbath preceding his death, which occur- 
red in 1816. His wife was Miss Roby Bowen, who was born 
in Coventry, R. I., November 29, 1766. They were married 
September 1, 1794 ; and had two children, Sarah (now de- 
ceased,) and Maria V. Mrs. Hill still survives, and resides in 
Seekonk. 

The next settled minister was the Rev. James O. Barney^ 
the present pastor. He was born at Providence, R. I. Septem- 
ber, 30, 1795; graduated at Brown university in September, 
1821, and was ordained over this church, February 4, 1824. He 
married Miss Eliza Lathe, of Charlton, Mass., in May, 
1825. 

The present state of the church and society is prosperous ; 
and, connected with it, and under the supervision of the pastor, 
is an interesting and flourishing sabbath school, with a fine juve- 
nile library. 



Baptist Chukch. 

The first meeting for discussing the propriety of attempting to 
establish a Baptist church in this part of the town, and, after a 
resolution had been formed to that effect, for devising means to 
accomplish it, was held on the 17th of December, 1793.* 

* For most of the facts in the history of this church, I am indebted to the kindness of 
Mr. Zenas B. Newman, a graduate of Brown university, and formerly a member of 
this church. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 229 

After several meetings, the church was organized, November 27, 
1794, consisting of forty members. The first minister who 
preached to this church, was the Rev. John P. Jones, a member 
of the Baptist church in Newport, R. I. After preaching 
nearly a year, in the capacity of a licentiate from the afore-men- 
tioned church, he was ordained as pastor, March 18, 1795. 
Messrs. Caleb Mason and Charles Peck were at the same time 
appointed deacons. Mr. Jones continued to perform his pasto- 
ral duties with satisfaction and success, till August 25, 1798, 
when the decline of his health compelled him to relinquish 
them. His successor was the Rev. John Pitman, who had oc- 
casionally assisted Mr. Jones. In 1801, the church enjoyed a 
revival of religion, and considerable additions were made to its 
numbers. In December, 1807, Mr. Joseph Bucklin was ap- 
pointed deacon, and also in March, 1808, Mr. Samuel Brown. 
With the exception of the year 1815, Mr. Pitman supplied the 
desk regularly, from 1798 till his death, in July, 1822. In 
December, 1815, Mr. David Brown was elected deacon, which 
office he still sustains. This last-mentioned year is noticed 
as the date of another revival in this church. In 1819, Messrs. 
Sylvanus Newman and John Read were appointed deacons. 
The former still continues in the office, but the latter has for 
several years been in the ministry. During the autumn of 
1822, the church enjoyed no regular preaching; and in the 
winter of 1823, it was supplied by two clergymen, one of whom 
was the Rev. Ezra Going. From October 5, 1823, till 1828, it 
enjoyed the permanent labors of the Rev. Bartlett Pease. During 
the year 1829, the desk was supplied by several different clergy- 
men, among whom was the Rev. Mr. Green, who previously, as 
well as subsequently, preached to the Baptist church in Digh- 
ton. In May, 1829, the Rev. Benjamin Grafton, of Plymouth, 
Conn., became the pastor of the church, and continued till 
July, 1831. Mr. Grafton now preaches in Taunton. Mr. 
Grafton was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Bestor, who continued 
till August, 1833. In August of this year, Mr. Viall Medbury 
was chosen deacon. In September, 1833, the church invited 
the Rev. Henry Clark, a licentiate from the church at Harwich, 
to supply them for a season. His labors were so successful that 
during the year 1834, between sixty and seventy members were 
added to the church. Mr. Clark was ordained over this church 
in 1834. 

Mr. Clark was the son of Seth Clark, and was born in Can- 



230 HISTOllY OF SEEKONK. 

terbury, Windham county, Conn., in November, 1810; was 
educated at the hterary and theological institution, at Hamilton, 
N. Y., and was married to Miss Mary Tillinghast Doane, of 
Warwick, R. I., in January, 1834. 

This church now consists of 207 members. 



Lyceum. 

A Lyceum was established in Seekonk in the winter of 1834, 
which has been sustained ever since with great spirit and inter- 
est. Besides the resources of its own members, it is enabled 
from its proximity to Providence, to avail itself of the aid of the 
learned and scientific men of that city, and of the able professors 
of Brown university. During the last year, a neat and commo- 
dious building was erected by the members of the Lyceum, for 
their meetings. 

Seekonk Classical Institute. 

A school with the above title, in which the classics and 
higher English branches, with the modern languages, are taught, 
was established in the village of Seekonk, in the autumn of 
1835, and is now in successful operation, consisting of about 
thirty scholars. 



HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 



In 1828, the north-west part of Seekonk was, by an act of 
the Legislature, and in compliance with a petition of a majority 
of the inhabitants of that part of the town, incorporated into an 
independent township, resuming its ancient Indian name, Paw- 
tucket.* The following is a copy of the 



Act of Incorporation. 

"Sec 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of 
the same, That the north-west part of the town of Seekonk, 
within the following lines, namely : beginning at a bend of the 
Seekonk river, about forty rods south of the mouth of Beverage 
brook, so called, thence running a due east course till it strikes 
the Ten^mile river, so called, thence by said river till it comes 
to the Attleborough line, including the island on which Kent's 
factory is situated, also the bridge a few rods north of said 
Kent's factory, which shall in future be supported by said town 
of Pawtucket ; thence westerly on the Attleborough line till it 
comes to the Rhode Island line ; thence southerly on said 
Rhode Island line till it comes to the first corner, with all the 
inhabitants living thereon, be incorporated into a town by the 
name of Pawtucket, with all the powers and privileges, and 
subjected to the duties and requisitions, that towns within this 
commonwealth do, or may enjoy, or be subject to. 

" Sec. 2. Be it further enacted. That the inhabitants of the 
said town of Pawtucket shall be holden to pay all arrears of 
taxes, which have been assessed upon them by the town of See- 
konk, together with their proportion of all debts due from said 
town of Seekonk, prior to the date of this act ; and the said 
town of Pawtucket shall be entitled to receive their proportion 
of all debts and taxes due to the said town of Seekonk, when 

*For the signification of the word Pawtucket, see supra, Hist. ofRehoboth, p. !. 



232 HISTORY OF PAWTTJCKET. 

collected and paid into the treasury of said town ; and the said 
town of Pawtucket shall be entitled to hold their proportion, 
according to the last valuation, of all the real and personal prop- 
erty, including the legacy of the late Eliphalet Slack, belonging 
to the town of Seekonk before the passing of this act, except 
so much of said property as is hereafter mentioned ; and, 
whereas, by an act of this General Court passed the twenty- 
sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and twelve, entitled an act to establish the town 
of Seekonk, it is enacted that all the expenses arising for the 
support of the poor, which had become chargeable to the 
town of Rehoboth, together with such poor as have removed 
out of said Rehoboth prior to the said act, but who might there- 
after be lawfully returned to said town for support, shall be 
equally divided between the towns of Rehoboth and Seekonk. 

" Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the said town of Paw- 
tucket shall be held to pay one third of the expenses to which 
the said town of Seekonk may hereafter become liable in con- 
sequence of said provision, and when the said town of Paw- 
tucket shall be organized, the paupers supported by said town 
of Seekonk, in pursuance of said provision, whether the same 
be supported in whole or in part only, shall be divided as near- 
ly as may be, and one third thereof delivered over to the over- 
seers of the said town of Rehoboth, to be by them in future 
supported, and all persons who may hereafter become charge- 
able as paupers to the said towns of Seekonk and Pawtucket, 
shall be considered as belonging to that town on the limits of 
which they had their settlement at the time of the passing of 
this act, and shall in future be chargeable to that town only. 

" Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, that the poor now supported 
by the town of Seekonk, and all such who may hereafter be 
returned for support, in virtue of having acquired a settlement 
in said town, shall be supported by the town within the territo- 
rial limits of which they have acquired their settlement. 

" Sec 5. Be it further enacted, That until a new valuation is 
taken by the commonwealth, the state and county taxes, and 
any reimbursements required by the commonwealth for the rep- 
resentation of the present and past years, of the said town of 
Seekonk, which may be called for from said towns of Seekonk 
and Pawtucket, shall be paid jointly by said towns, and in the 
proportion of two thirds for said town of Seekonk, and one third 
for said town of Pawtucket. 

" Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That the said town of Paw- 



HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 233 

mieket shall have no claim in the town-house, and also a certain 
parcel of real estate, known by the name of Kettle Point, and 
is owned by the towns of Seekonk and Rehoboth ; and the said 
town of Pawtucket shall not be liable to pay any expenses that 
have, or may accrue, on occasion of said estate, and the said 
town of Seekonk shall also retain to their own use, the school 
fund, so called. 

" Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, That any justice of the 
peace, in the county of Bristol, be, and is hereby authorised to 
issue his warrant, directed to some suitable inhabitant of Paw- 
tucket, requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitants of the said 
town of Pawtucket, to asseinble and meet at such convenient 
time and place as shall be appointed in said warrant, for the 
choice of such officers as towns are by law required to choose 
and appoint at their annual town meetings. 

" Approved by the governor, March 1, 1828." 

The first town meeting of the inhabitants of Pawtucket, was 
held March 17, 1828, when the following town officers were 
elected : — Oliver Starkweather, moderator ; David Bucklin, 
Elijah Ingraham, and Remember Kent, selectmen ; James C. 
Starkweather, town clerk ; and William Allen, town treasurer. 

The second annual meeting was held April 6, 1829, when 
the same officers were re-elected. At the next annual meeting, 
April 5, 1830, George W, Hill was chosen town clerk; the 
other town officers were the same as in the two preceding 
years. 

At the fourth annual meeting of the town, April 4, 1831, 
Amos A. Tillinghast was chosen town clerk ; Elijah Ingraham, 
Wellington Kent, and John Burbank, selectmen ; and William 
Allen, town treasurer. 

At the fifth annual meeting, April 2, 1832, Amos A. Til- 
linghast was chosen town clerk ; Wellington Kent, Amos Arnold, 
and Asa Draper, selectmen ; and Edward Walcott, town 
treasurer. 

At the sixth annual meeting, April 1, 1833, the same town 
officers were re-elected, with the exception of the treasurer, 
whose place was supplied by Ira D. Ellis. At the annual meet- 
ing, April 7, 1834, the officers of the preceding year were re- 
elected. 

April 6, 1835, at the eighth annual town meeting, Thomas 
Esten was chosen town clerk j Wellington Kent, Ira Draper, 
30 



234 HISTORY OF PAWTIICKET. 

and John Craine, jr. selectmen ; and Ira D. Ellis, town 
treasurer. 

It is readily foreseen that the materials for the history of 
Pawtucket, as a separate and independent township, must ne- 
cessarily, from its recent existence as such, be very scanty and 
limited. '' Pierce's Fight," which took place a short distance 
above the village, on the Pawtucket or Blackstone river, was 
related in our history of Rehoboth, at pp. 87 to 93, and also 
the capture of Canonchet, supposed to be taken near the same 
spot will be found at pp. 97 to 101, of the same. We have 
already given the few facts respecting its history that the re- 
cords of the town afford. The previous notices that we find of 
Pawtucket relate to the viUoge of Pawtucket ; but as the por- 
tions of the village, on both sides of the river, grew up together, 
whatever may throw light upon the growth of the whole, will 
help to ex hi hit that of the part which falls within the incorpora- 
ted town. 

The following is a description of the village of Pawtucket, as 
it was in 1810, by Dr. Dvvight, found in his travels, vol. II. p. 
27—8. 

" In the northwestern corner of Rehoboth there is a compact 
and neat settlement on the Pawtucket, or Providence river. 
This, with another on the western bank, form what is called 
North Providence ; although this name, in strict propriety, be- 
longs only to the latter. This village is well built, and vv^ears 
a flourishing aspect. The river is a large mill-stream ; and 
just below the village becomes navigable for boats. Directly 
under the bridge commences a romantic fall, which, extending 
obliquely down the river, furnishes a number of excellent mill- 
seats. Of this advantage the inhabitants have availed them- 
selves. There is probably no spot in New England, of the 
same extent, in which the same quantity, or variety, of manu- 
facturing business is carried on. In the year 1796, there were 
here three Anchor-forges, one Tanning Mill, one Flowering 
Mill, one Slitting Mill, three Snuff Mills, one Oil Mill, three 
Fulling Mills, one Clothier's Works, one Cotton Factory, two 
Machines for cutting nails, one Furnace for casting hollow ware; 
all moved by water, one Machine for cutting screws, moved by 
a horse, and several forges for smiths' work. 

" The whole descent of the river is said to be fifty feet. The 
principal fall is about thirty. The mass of rocks, by which it is 



HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 235 

produced, is thrown together in the wildest confusion. When 
we passed this place, the river was low. In 1807, while cross- 
ing the ferry, just beloWj in an oblique direction near a mile in 
extent, I had a remarkably fine view of this cr.taract. The 
river was full, and fell in a circuitous extent of little less than 
two hundred feet, and in a great variety of forms of wildness 
and grandeur. 

** Most of the manufactures at this place have been carried 
on successfully. The number of workmen employed, the num- 
ber of buildings, and the mass of capital, have therefore contin- 
ually increased. But in the year 1806, the deluge of rain, 
which fell in the beginning of February, raised the river to an 
unprecedented height ; and swept away in a moment the labo- 
rious efforts of many years." 

The following notice, extracted from a gazeteer of Rhode Isl- 
and and Connecticut, published at Hartford in 1819, may serve 
to give us another birds-eye view of the village of Pawtucket, 
nine years later than the date of the one proceeding : — 

" The village of Pawtucket is situated in the north-east sec- 
tion of the town [North Providence,] four miles northeast of 
Providence, on the border of the Seekonk river; its site being 
principally the declivity of a hillj and it is highly romantic and 
picturesque. The river here affords numerous natural sites lor 
manufacturing establishments, mills and hydraulic work: . of 
almost every description, which are scarcely rivalled, and whicl^ 
are occupied to a great extent. The rapid march of manufac- 
turing and mechanical industry, which the short annals of this 
place disclose, has few examples in our country, and has pro- 
duced one of the most considerable and flourishing manufactur- 
ing villages in the United States. The river here forms the 
boundary line between the two states, and the village is built 
upon both sides of it ; being partly in Rhode Island and partly 
in Massachusetts. That part of the village which is in this state 
[Rhode Island,] is principally built on four streets ; and com- 
prizes eighty-three Dwelling-houses, twelve Mercantile stores, 
two Churches, a Post Office, an incorporated Bank, an Acad- 
emy, and two or three flourishing schools. Of the ten Cotton 
Mills in the town, three are at this place, and upon an exten- 
sive scale. There are six shops engaged in the manufacturing 
of machinery, having the advantage of water power, and vari- 
ous other mechanical establishments, affording extensive employ- 
ment, and supporting a dense population. Upon the Massa- 



236 HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 

chusetts side of the river, there is a village of nearly equal sho 
and consequence, for its manufacturing and other interests." 

As early as 1712, we find, in a report, made to the Massa- 
chusetts legislature, by a committee consisting of three of the 
Council and two of the House of Representatives, respecting 
the most advantageous location for a bridge proposed to be 
erected by the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, over 
Pawtucket river, a mention made of" Iron Works " near " Paw- 
tucket Falls." And it is probable, that the excellent water 
privileges at the falls early attracted the attention of the first 
settlers, and that mills were erected here at an early date ; but 
the village was small and of comparatively little importance, till 
the introduction of Cotton manufactures by the late Samuel 
Slater, in 1790. Since that period the growth and prosperity 
of the village have been unrivalled. 

As the village of Pawtucket owes its present flourishing con- 
dition — principally to Cotton Manufactures,, and these were first 
introduced by Mr. Slater ; we shall give such facts as we have 
been able to learn respecting him, followed by a statistical view 
of the manufacturing establishments in the town of Pawtucket. 

Samuel Slater was born in England, June 9, 1768 ; emi- 
grated to America in 1789 ; and, in connexion with Messrs. 
Moses Brown and William Almy of Providence, established the 
first factory in this country for spinning cotton.* He com- 
menced the spinning of cotton in 1790, in a building near Paw- 
tucket Bridge, and occupied it about twenty-one months^ and 
then removed to the factory now cafled the " Old Mill/' from 
its being the first erected for the business in the country. This 
building is now owned by Messrs. Almy and Jenkins ; and some 
of the old machinery, used at the starting of the factory by Mr. 
Slater, is still in operation, and is exhibited to the numerous 
visiters to the establishment. 

Establishing, as he did, the first cotton factory in the country, 
Mr. Slater had, of course, the whole market to himself; and, 
so great was the demand for his manufactures, that he frequently 
had money lodged in his hands for months before he could an- 
swer the orders of his correspondents. Thus circumstanced, 
every thing in his hands turned to money. His business profi- 
table, without competition, and he alone master of the art, he 



* For Ihe facts in this sketch of Mr. Slater I am indebted to- Messra. Ronsmaniere, 
editors of the Pawtucket Chronicle. 



HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 237 

pushed steadily forward in the path of success, the unrivalled 
favorite of fortune. 

At the time of his death, he owned one third of the manu- 
facturing village of Slatersville, the Steam Mill in Providence, 
the whole town of Webster, and other immense tracts of landed 
property, besides a large amount of bank stock ; all of which, 
it is said, has been estimated by Moses Brown of Providence 
at ^1,200,000. This estimate is said to have been founded on 
a schedule of his property, exhibited by Mr. Slater to Mr. 
Brown in 1829. 

" Mr. Slater," says the Pawtucket Chronicle, " was not 
exactly a generous man. He gave little to public institutions, 
and regarded not the appeals of private individuals. His ob- 
ject was gold ; and no man was more indefatigable. Buona- 
parte never pursued schemes of conquest, never followed the 
phantoms of ambition more constantly, than did Samuel Slater 
his business. With him there was no second object to divide 
his thoughts. Like a shrewd, worldly man, he never boasted 
of his riches. When the President visited him two years ago, 
he told him he understood he had made a very large fortune ; 
" Why," said Mr. S., "■ I have made, I think, a competency ! " 
An answer that opens an avenue into the very heart of his char- 
acter.'* 

Mr. Slater is said to have been the first who established Sab- 
bath Schools in this country. Reading, writing, and arithme- 
tic \yere taught to the children in these schools. 

He had two wives, and left four children, all by his first wife, 
who was a daughter of the late Oziel Wilkinson of Pawtucket 
village.* 



COTTON FACTORIES, &c. 

Yellow Mill. — -The first cotton factory that was erected 
upon the east side of the river, in the village of Pawtucket, was 
" the Yellow Mill." It was erected in 1805 by the "Paw- 
tucket Cotton and Oil Manufacturing Company," but is not 
now in operation. The basement story is now occupied as a 
machine shop. 

* Should further facts come inta my hands, in season, as I expect, relative 
to Mr. Slater, they will be inserted in the Biographical Sketches. 



238 HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 

Great Stone Mill. — This factory was re-built in 1827, a 
wooden building, erected for a factory, at quite an early date, 
having been consumed by fire, on the present site, in 1824. It 
contains 60 looms, 2000 spindles, employs 70 hands, and man- 
ufactures yearly 400,000 yards of cloth, No. 35. 

Stone Factory. — This factory was erected in 1813, by the 
same company that built the "Yellow Mill." It is now divid- 
ed into four departments, and owned and occupied by four 
different firms, viz. John Burbank, Starkweather k, Clafllen, 
John F. Walcott, and Edward Walcott. John Burbank has in 
operation 40 looms, runs 1500 spindles, employs 40 hands, and 
manufactures annually 300,000 yards of No. 30 printing cloths. 
Starkweather h Claflen have in operation 50 looms, run 1700 
spindles, employ about 50 hands, and manufacture yearly about 
350,000 yards of printing cloths. Edward Walcott has in op- 
eration 34 looms, runs 1200 spindles, employs about 40 hands;, 
and manufactures annually 225,000 yards of printing cloths. 
The estimate of John F. Walcott's part of the factory is nearly 
the same as that of the latter. 

White Mill. — This, sometimes called the " Wilkinson Fac- 
tory," was built in 1813, by Wilkinson, Green, &i Co. The 
inside of this building, (the walls of which are of stone,) was 
burned out in 1824, the same time that the wooden factory, on 
the site of the " Great Stone Mill," was burned. It is now 
owned by Geo. Wilkinson, who has in operation 59 looms, 
2000 spindles, employs 50 hands, and manufactures yearly 
450,000 yards. 

Kent's Factory. — This factory is owned by R. &. W. Kent, 
and was erected in 1809. They have in operation 15 looms, 
354 spindles, employ 16 hands, and manufacture yearly 
100,000 yards. 

Ingraham Factory. — This factory was built in 1825 by the 
" Pawtucket Calico Manufacturing Company," and is now 
owned by Dwight Ingraham. He has now in operation 24 looms, 
1000 spindles, employs 20 hands, and manufactures annually 
220,000 yards. The building is now only partially filled with 
machinery, and Mr. Ingraham contemplates doubling the amount 
soon. 



HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 239 

Franklin Print Works. — The buildings occupied by these 
works, were used for upwards of twenty years after their erection, 
for bleaching, and were erected by the " Pawtucket Calico Man- 
ufacturing Company." They are now owned by Crawford Al- 
len, of Providence, and were first filled with machinery for the 
printing of calicoes, in 1833. They employ 225 hands, and 
turn out annually 4,600,000 yards of printed calicoes. 

Pawtucket Bank. — This bank was incorporated June 13, 
1814, and has a capital of .^100,000. The president is Elijah 
Ingraham, and the cashier, Amos A. Tillinghast. 

Pawtucket Acabemy. — This institution was incorporated 
in 1832, with power to hold real estate, not exceeding in value 
eight thousand dollars, and personal estate not exceeding in 
value twelve thousand dollars, to be devoted exclusively to the 
purposes of education. The building is neat and commodious, 
and enjoys a romantickly fine location. The school, since the 
commencement of its operations, has been under the care of 
Mr. Joseph Hale, a graduate of Harvard University. The 
mode of instruction is judicious and excellent, and the school 
sustains a decidedly high character. The number of pupils is 
limited to forty. 



Pawtucket Bridge. 

In the spring of 1712, a proposal was made by the General 
Assembly of Rhode Island, to the legislature of Massachusetts, 
" for building a bridge over Pawtucket river, partly at the 
charge of that colony, and in part at the charge of this province ; " 
which was accepted, and " a vote was passed thereon for raising 
a committee to inquire where the bridge may be best set, and 
of the benefit and advantage it will be, when erected, to this 
provmcej for travel and commerce." 

[Mass. Rec. vol. ix. p. 200.] 

March 20. 1712, it was "ordered that Isaac Winslow, Na- 
thaniel Payne, and John Gushing, Esqrs. of the council, with 
such of the representatives as shall be named by the House, be 
a committee to inquire of the place where the bridge may best 



240 HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 

be placed, and of t!io benefit and advantage it will be, when 
erected, to tliis province for travel and commerce." 

[Ibid. p. 259.] 

May 29, 1713, the committee reported as follows: viz. 
" We are humbly of opinion, that a place called Pawtucket 
Falls, near the Iron works on said river, is the most suitable 
place to erect said brid^^c, and when built, may be of benefit to 
some parts of tiiis province, especially it will be of service for 
travellin;;^ into the Narraj^anset country, Connecticut, and 
New York, at all times of the year, particularly in the win- 
ter season, when, by reason of the risin;,^ of the water, and f^reat 
quantity of ice coming down the river, it is made very difiicult 
and hazardous, wliich, if there be a bridge, will make travelling 
more easy and safe. 

Isaac Winslow, ~' 

Natl). Payne, 

Sam'l Thaxter, >Committee." 

Joseph Brown. 

Noah Peck, ^ 
[Vol. ix. pp. 273, 274. 

" In the House of Representatives, voted, that Nathaniel 
Paine, Esq., Messrs. Moses Read and John Rogers, be a com- 
mittee to consider and compute the charge of a highway to 
Pawtucket bridge, and lay the same before this court; and 
that the further consideration of the account of building of said 
bridge, be deferred until the vouchers thereof be produced, or 
the said account be returned, examined and allowed, by the 
government of Rhode Island, neither of which are yet done." 

[Vol. X. p. 22.] 

" Upon reading an account presented by Joseph Jenks, 
amounting to £223 14s. lid., being the expense of building a 
bridge over Pawtucket river, 

" The House of Representatives resolved that the sum of 
£51 19s. 5^(1. be further allowed out of the public treasury, to 
Jose|)h Jenks, accomptant ; which, with £G0, already paid by 
this province, is one half of his accompt, and is in full of what 
this province pays to the building of said bridge." 

[Vol X. p. 40.] 



HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 241 

*' The report of the commiitee appointed to consider and 
compute the charge of a highway to Pavvtucket bridge : viz. 
In pursuance of the written vote or order, we the subscribers, 
on the 28th of May, 1716, went to the bridge at Pawtucket, 
where we met with the persons tliat were interested in the 
lands where the highway should go ; and, having discoursed 
with them, and viewed the same, do report that a way of two 
rods wide be left on the north side of the land belonging to Jo- 
seph Buckland, jr., beginning at the foot of the bridge, and so 
to run through the land of Henry Smith, till it comes to said 
Smith's house, being in length ninety-two rods, is about two 
acres and a half, only allowing a turn to be made to the north- 
ward, about fifty rods from the bridge, to escape a great rock, 
which land we are of opinion is worth £3 per acre ; and the 
making of a fence the length of said way, if made of stone wall, 
will be worth 5s. per rod, to be allowed to the owner of said 
land ; which way then to run from said Smith's house northward 
about a quarter of a mile, when it will meet with a way that was 
formerly laid out by Rehoboth, which leads into the county 
road by the great plain. The land, being two acres and a halt, 
we value at 20s. per acre, without any charge of fence. 
" Given under our hands, the 14th of June, 1716. 
Nathaniel Payne, ^ 
Moses Read, > Committee." ' 
John Rogers, ) 

Upon the report of this committee, the House of Representa- 
tives passed the following resolve : — " Resolved, that the com- 
mittee's report be so far accepted, that the highway be laid out 
and settled according thereto, and that the sum of £10 be al- 
lowed and paid out, of the public treasury, to purchase the land 
thereof, according to the said report, and that 24s. be paid out 
of the public treasury, for their service and expenses." 

[Vol. X. pp. 75, 76.] 

" June 19, 1725. 
"In the House of Representatives, resolved that the sum of 
£15 be allowed and paid out of the public treasury, to Capt. 
Jno. Foster, of Attleborough, to be employed for the repairing 
of the Province's part of the bridge over Pawtucket river, be- 
tween Rehoboth and Providence, part of the repairs belonging 
31 



242 HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 

to the colony of Rhode Island, the said Foster to account for 
the expenses of the money." 

[Vol. xii. p. 402.] 

"In the House of Representatives, May 30, 1730, voted 
that Col. Church, Capt. Foster, and Mr. Peck, be a committee 
in behalf of this government of Rhode Island, in demolishing 
the great bridge over Pawtucket river, it being represented as 
very hazardous.'* 

[Vol. xiv. p. 372.] 

" Sept. 18, 1730. Charles Church, Esq., for the commit- 
tee appointed to demolish Pawtucket bridge, by an order en- 
tered July 1, 1730, gave in the following report,- viz : 

" The committee within named, repaired to the great bridge 
over Pawtucket river, on the 21st of July, 1730, and there 
joined with William Jettks, Es^., empowered and appointed 
on the part of the government of Rhode Island and Providence- 
plantations, and by order of both governments, we then and 
there demolished the said bridge." 

[VoL xiv. f. 396. 

A new bridge was soon erected. — ^This is the history of the 
old bridge. Though somewhat long, it may perhaps inteyesfi 
the curious reader. The bridge has been frequently repaired^ 
•nd, lastly, within a few years. 



Repbesentatives.. 



1828, James C. Starkweather. 

1829, James C. Starkweather. 

1830, James C. Starkweather. 

1831, Elijah Ingrahara. 



1832, Remember Kent. 

1833, Remember Kent. 

1834, Remember Kent. 

1835, Remember Kent. 



Senators. 

1829, Hon. Elijah Ingraham. 1836, Hon. J. C. Starkweather. 

1830, Hon. Elijah Ingraham. 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 



The ecclesiastical history of Pawtucket comprises the hislo- 
s-y of three churches, viz: — Elder Potter's churchy Elder 
green's charch, and the Congregational church. But two of 
these are now located in the town, one having beea removed to 
Jhe west side of the river- 



Elder Potter's Church, 

The first church organised wiihui the limits of this town, was 
gathered by the Rev. Ray Potter, and was styled a " Free-Will 
Baptist Church." The following is a notice of its organization, 
extracted from the " Life of Ray Potter, by himself," and de- 
rived originally from the records of the church : — • 

^' Book of Records of the Church of Christ, in PawtucJcetj 
Massachusetts, commonly called Free- Will Baptist ; constituted 
October 7, 1820, under the watch and care of Elder Ray 
Potter." 

•'■' Oft the evening of the 7th of October, 1820, a number of 
brethren and sisters, lately baptized by Elder Ray Potter, 
(whose names will be hereafter specified,) together with deacon 
Gardner Buffington, and his wife, Mary Buffington, and her 
daughter, Harriet Buffington ; all of whom had formerly been 
members of the church of Christ, in Swanzey, Mass. ; also, 
brother Daniel Green, formerly a member of the Calvanistic 
Baptist church in Pawtucket, and Elder Ray Potter, assem- 
bled at the house of deacon Gardner Buffington, in the village 
of Pawtucket, on Seekonk side, Mass., for the purpose of 
joining or embodying themselves together, as a church of 
Christ. 

" After prayer to Almighty God, to be owned, and blessed, 
and directed by his holy spirit, in the present very solemn and 



244 IIISTORT OF PAWTUCKET. 

Important undertaking, we proceeded to consider the subject for 
which we met. After conversing upon the subject of church 
government, and what was to be understood by a visible church 
of Ciirist, the following persons joined hands, thereby manifest- 
ing that they united themselves together as a church of God ; 
taking the scriptures of truth as their only book of discipline, 
and rule of faith and practice. [Here follow the names, which 
it is unnecessary to transcribe.] 

" After the persons above referred to had united as a 
church, they unanimously admitted Elder Ray Potter, as one 
of their members, and likewise as an under shepherd, to take 
the watch and care of the church. It was also agreed that 
deacon BufTrngton should officiate in said office in the church. 
The church also chose Elder Ray Potter for their clerk. 

'* Althougii the church has chosen for its pastor Elder Ray 
Potter, who is likewise considered as a preacher in the Free- 
will connexion, yet it is understood that the church is consti- 
tuted upon the principle of having the privilege and authority 
to order its own concerns, without being restricted or biased by 
pny other church or churches whatever. 

" The above record was written, and laid before the church, 
in meeting, and duly approved by them. 

Witness, Ray Potter, C/crAr." 

A division soon took place in this church, a part of the mem- 
bers adhering to Mr. Potter, and the others uniting with the 
Rev. Daniel Green, one of the original members of this church ; 
and whom his party selected for their minister. Immediately 
pn this division a controversy arose, as to which party the meet- 
ing house, that had been erected for the original church, should 
belong, Tlie decision was left to referees, who declared in fa- 
vor of the party adhering to Mr. Green. From this division 
arose the two churches, now generally known by the names of 
" Elder Potter's " and " Elder Green's." Elder Potter's 
church, who by the decision of the referees, above alluded to, 
lost their right in the meeting house first erected, after worship- 
ping for a while in a school house in the village, built for them- 
selves a new house of worship. 

Mr. Potter was born in Cranston, R. I., June 22, 1795, and 
was a son of Col. Andrew Potter, who died at Coventry, R. I., 
in ] 829, aged sixty -seven years. He commenced his ministry 
in Providence. Mr. Potter published "Memoirs of his Life, 



ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 245 

and Religious Experience," in 1829; and at different times, 
before and since that date, has published also several pamphlets, 
both doctrinal and controversial. 



Elder Green's Church. 

The history of the origin of this church has already been an- 
ticipated, in speaking of Elder Potter's.* It was organized in 
Seekonk, (now Pawtucket,) in 1820, and the present number 
of members is 100. 

The Rev. Daniel Green, who has been the minister of this 
church since its commencement, (or at least since its existence 
independent of the preceeding church,) was born in Pawtucket, 
R. I. April IG, 1793, and is the son of the late Timothy Green, 
Esq. of the same place. 



Congregational Church. 

This church was organized April 17, 1829. The following 
sketch of the formation and history of this church is printed 
with their " Confession and Covenant." 

^' The Pawtucket Congregational Church was originally com- 
posed of but nine individuals — one male, and eight females. 
All these were members of the Church of Christ in Attlebo- 
rough, under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Ferguson. In 
April, 1829, they were dismissed from that Church, with Chris- 
tian affection and commendation, for the purpose of being organ- 
ized into a distinct branch of the Christian Church, to be loca- 
ted in the village of Pawtucket. That purpose was effectuated 
by a regularly convened ecclesiastical council, on the 17th of 
the above named month. 

" On the day of their organization, the Church elected the 
Rev. Asa T. Hopkins, their Pastor. The Society, by whose 
munificence a beautiful and commodious house in which the 
Church were to worship had been previously erected, unani- 
mously seconded the call of the Church. The Pastor elect 



* I have been able to obtain facta respecting these churches very fully only 
on " one side of the question; " and have not, therefore, given so complete a 
hiitory, as I should otherwise have done. 



246 HISTORY OF PAWTUCKET. 

signified his acceptance of iheir united invitation on the 17th of 
July, and was ordained on the 5th of August, following. 

"On the 15th of July, 1831, Remember Carpenter, and 
Otis Read were elected Deacons — the former having discharged 
the duties of that office, by appointment, from the organization 
of the Church, to the period of his election : and on the 17th 
of the same month, these brethren were publicly and solemnly 
inducted into their office, conformably to primitive example. 
See Acts vi. 6. 

" Since its organization, this Church has been favored, in 
two instances, with the special effiisions of the Holy Spirit, the 
results of which have been considerable accessions to its num-= 
hers, and a happy increase of the spirit of benevolence. These 
doings of a faithful covenant-keeping God, the Church record, 
and would ever remember, with admiring gratitude and humble 
praise. 

"In March, 1830, the Church constituted itself into a Tem- 
perance Association. All its members are pledged to abstain 
from the use of Ardent Spirits, except for medical purposes ; 
and no person who traffics in them, or who uses them habitually, 
can be admitted to membership." 

Mr. Hopkins was dismissed, at his own request, in 1832, and 
the Rev. Barnabas Phinney was installed in his place, January 
1, 1833. Mr. Phinney took his dismission from this church, 
January 5, 1836. 

Mr. Hopkins is a native of the state of New York, gradua- 
ted at Yale College, and studied divinity with the Rev. Dr. 
Hawes, of Hartford, Ct. He is now settled over a church in 
Buffalo, N. Y. 

Mr. Phinney is a native of Lee, Mass. He is now at West- 
borough, in this state. 

The church has now no settled minister, but is regularly and 
constantly supplied by clergymen of the first rank in the vicin- 
ity. The present number of members is 140. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 



f Under this head are included sketches of several individuals, whose history, 
being unconnected with either the civil or ecclesiastical history of either of 
the three towns, I had not occasion to relate in connexion with them. Sketches 
of the Lawyers and Physicians, who have resided, or may now reside, within 
the limits of Rehoboth, Seekonk, or Pawtucket, will come under separate di- 
visiona of this head, as also the Graduates of some of our Colleges.] 

Samuel Metcalf Fowler^ for some years the able editor 
of the " Pawtucket Chronicle," was a native of Rehoboth, and 
a son of Dr. Isaac Fowler, deceased. Being obliged to labor 
for a subsistence, he selected the printing business as the best 
adapted to his talents. Nor did he err in supposing that that 
profession might one day throw him into a situation where the 
peculiar bent of his mind would find full scope to display itself. 
He learned his trade in Providence, where he continued a while 
afterwards ; and then located himself in the village of Pawtucket^ 
where he published the " Pawtucket Chronicle," as editor and 
proprietor. He continued to conduct this paper with great 
ability and spirit, till siezed with a consumption which termina- 
ted his life, August 26, 1832, at the age of twenty-seven. He 
composed with great facility ; but it is related of him, that he 
seldom penned an article on paper, but went to his case, and 
put his thoughts directly into type. Nor did these original arti- 
cles, thus composed, often betray haste or carelessness. But 
this manner of literally composing his ideas, probably applied 
only to the shorter editorial articles ; as his longer and more 
laboured productions are written with much care, both of thought 
and language. The following anecdote is related of one of his 
early attempts at this double mode of composition. While em- 
ployed as an appremice in the office of one of the Providence 
journals, and yet a mere boy, he set up in this manner, and put 
into the form, without the knowledge of the editor, an article 
replete with keen, polished satire, and bitter invective, against 



248 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

one of the leading politicians of Providence. The paper was 
issued, and the editor had hardly discovered the article, and 
learned, with no small surprise, the author of it, before in came 
the irritated politician, foaming with rage, and demanding in the 
bitterest language the writer of the " accursed article." " Who 
is he ? where is he — the rascal ? " reiterated he in the highest 
fit of passion. " Nobody ivrote it," replied the editor very 
calmly. " Nobody ! ejaculated the infuriated politician." " The 
author of it," returned the former, with a coldly indifferent, and 
sarcastic smile, " is my hoy yonder." The man after casting 
a half glance at the diminutive and stripling form of the youth- 
ful Junius, made good his retreat in silent vexation and cha- 
grin. 

His fancy was sprightly and fertile, his thoughts luminous^ 
and his language forcible and appropriate. In his more labored 
satirical articles there is no faint resemblance to the style of 
Junius, the author of all others whom he most admired, and took 
for a model. In violence of invective, severity of remark, and 
bitterness of sarcasm, he excelled. In these he was at home ; 
and sported with words, as the whirlwinds of autumn, with the 
seared and withered leaves of the forest. But his invective too 
often degenerated into cruelty, his remark into prejudice ; and 
his wit, which, meteor-like, could soar aloft, and gleam along 
the heaven, or scathe with the lightning, too often descended to 
quench its brightness in the murky and putrid vapors of the stag- 
nated marsh. But notwithstanding these prominent blots on his 
editorial character, as a man he had many and warm friends, 
and few enemies. Nature had lavished on him her gifts with 
an unsparing hand ; and had fortune favored him with a more 
finished education, and the experience which years alone can 
give, he would have been remembered, when others, — the " flat- 
tered of the houp-," had been long forgotten. 

Samuel Robinson, M. D., a distinguished geologist, was 
born in Attleborough, March, 1783, and lived there till about 
twenty years of age. He then went to Hanover, N. H., to 
study medicine with the celebrated Dr. Nathan Smith, profes- 
sor in Dartmouth College, and remained there about two years. 
He then went to Berkley, near Taunton, and commenced prac- 
tice, where he continued only one year. He then removed to 
North Carolina, to a place called Indian-town, about ten or 
twelve miles from Elizabeth City. Here he followed his pro- 



ROBERT THE HERMIT. 249 

fession twenty years, and became distinguished both as a sur- 
geon and physician. An anecdote, related of him, shows him 
to have been also a benevolent man. The leg of a poor man 
required amputation ; and an amputator could not be obtained, 
for want of sufficient fee-money. Dr. Robinson, hearing of the 
circumstance, travelled fifty miles to perform the operation, 
without taking any compensation. The wife of the poor man, 
afterwards having twins, and both sons, named one of them 
Samuel, and the other Rohinson. 

While in Carolina his health became poor, and he was induced 
to travel with the hopes of amending it. He travelled in the 
Carolinas, Virginia, and the Middle and New England states ; 
and was instrumental in founding twenty-seven bible societies. 
He then came to Pawtucket, Providence, and the vicinity — 
his health remaining feeble — and devoted himself to the study 
of Mineralogy. He made a somewhat valuable collection 
of minerals, and published, in 1825, " A Catalogue of Ameri- 
can Minerals, with their localities," including all that were 
known to exist in the United States and British Provinces. In 
this the locality, — county, town, neighborhood, &;c. is distinctly 
marked, and the book serves as an excellent travelling compan- 
ion to the practical geologist. It is an octavo of 316 pages. 

He resided in Pawtucket and the vicinity, making his home 
at his brother's, Mr. Dan Robinson's, between two and three 
years ; and finally went, on the approach of cold weather, to 
St. Augustine in East Florida, where, within a few months, he 
died, February, 1827.* 

" Robert the Hermit." By this appellation was known 
a singular and eccentric being, who for many years lived in a 
rude cell, on the east side of Seekonk river, near India Bridge, 
leading the solitary life of a recluse. The following notice of this 
mysterious man and his eccentricities appeared in the " Provi- 
dence Literary Cadet," of June 1826, and was probably from 
the pen of the editor of that paper, at the date nicnlioned: — 

" Beneath a mountain's brow, the most remote 
And inaccessible, by Shepherds trod, 
In a deep cave, dug by no mortal hands, 
An Hermit hved, — a melancholy man. 
Who was the wonder of our wand'ring swains i 
Austere and lonely — cruel to himself 

* For the facts in this sketch I am principally indebted to the kindness of 
Joseph Hale, A. M., Principal of the Pawtucket Academy. 
32 



250 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

They did report him — the cold earth his bed, 

Water his drink, his food the Shepherd's alms, 

I went to see him, and my heart was touched 

With reverence and with pity. Mild he spake, 

And entering on discourse, such stories told, 

As made me oft re-visit his sad cell," Homes' Douglas. 

" On the declivity of a hill, which overlooks the pellucid 
waters of the Seekonk River, in a rude cell, resides a Hermit, 
whose history is as inexplicable as his affected account of him- 
self is mysterious. His name is Robert, but to what country 
he belongs, or what are the inducements which have led him to 
lead the solitary life of a Hermit, no one knows, and the fact 
puts conjeclure at a hazard. Certain it is, however, that he is 
not a native of New-England ; and that he is not by education 
or by ()rinciple attached to our habits or our institutions, the 
whole course- of his life, since he lias been with us, has abun- 
dantly proved. 

" It is now about eighteen years, since he first visited us, and 
took up his abode in a thick pine grove, which threw its luxuri- 
ant foliage over the brow of Arnold's Hill, and from that day to 
this, he has carefully avoided answering any questions, which 
might lead to a discovery of his history, or gratify the curiosity 
of the inquirer. 

" Months, years and days pass by him imnoticed and unregard- 
ed, and it is only on extraordinary occasions, that he emerges from 
the confines of his solitary hermitage. In the Spring he some- 
times occupies himself in laborious employment, such as attend- 
ing gardens for the neighborhood ; but so regardless is he of 
the things of this world, that he cares not whether his labors 
are rewarded or not, by those who receive the benefits of them. 

" Unused to the luxuries or extravagancies of life, he contents 
himself with the simplest food, alid such as the bountiful hand 
of nature supplies. The meats and intemperate liquids of social 
life, are unknown to him, 

" But from the mountain's grassy side 

A guiltless feast he brings ; 
A scrip with herbs and fruits supplied, 

And water from the springs." 

" In summer he cultivates a small lot of land, which he is 
kindly allowed to possess, by the Hon. Mr. Burges, the owner 
of the estate on which the hermitage is located ; but he rarely 
allows the plants to arrive at maturity, before he plucks them 
from the earth, and throws them to the cattle that feed around 



ROBERT THE HERMIT. 2S1 

his lonely mansion. What should induce him to thus destroy 
what he has often been at great labor to cultivate, he assigns no 
reason, nor can any one form a reasonable conjecture. His 
cell is decorated with various shells and bones, and is scarcely 
capable of accommodating himself alone ; and the furniture with 
which it is supplied, consists of a stool, an oaken bench, on 
which he reposes, and two or three pieces of broken delf ware. 
It is as gloomy, as darkness and solitude can make it, and appears 
to be admirably fitted for a misanthrope and a recluse. 

" In winter he seldom emerges from his solitary mansion, but 
silently and patiently waits for time to introduce the vernal 
Spring, and to bring about that joyful season, when once more 
he can rove around the adjacent woodlands and meads. The 
rays of the sun never enter the portals of his domicil, and at 
mid-day it assumes all the darkness of midnight. Content with 
his situation, and at peace witli all, he quietly looks forward for 
the arrival of that day, when he shall " bid the waking world 
good night," and find in countries unexplored, that happiness 
which life has denied him. 

"His cell is surrounded by a thick set hedge, wrought of 
wild briars and hemlock, and displays much ingenuity and taste. 
tt is in a most romantic situation, some distance from any human 
habitation, and not often annoyed by the gaze of the curious, or 
the mischievous visits of the boys, for they all love poor Rob- 
ert. It is well worth the trouble of those who are fond of the 
curious, and are pleased with noticing the excentricities of frail 
mortality, to visit the abode of ' Robert the Hermit.' " 

Robert was born, according to his own narrative,* at Prince- 
ton, N. J., in 1769 or 1770. His mother was of African de- 
scent, and he was born consequently to a heritage of bondage. 
He had no brother, and but one sister ; and from her and his 
mother he was separated and included in the patrimonial portion 
of his master's oldest daughter, on her marriage to a Mr. John 
Voorhis, by birth a German. When about four years of age, 
his master removed to Georgetown, D. C, taking his slaves 
with him, and thus removing Robert beyond all knowledge of 
his mother and sister. At the age- of fourteen or fifteen, his 

* A small pamphlet, entitled " Life and Adventures of Robert the Hermit, 
of Massachusetts," was written and published in 1829, by Henry Trumbull. 
To this I am principally indebted for this sketch, the language of which I 
have mostly employed ; as it is said to have been '• taken from hi« own 
mouth." 



252 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 

master apprenticed him to a shoe-maker ; but, finding that he 
made little proficiency in the art, recalled him upon his planta- 
tion, and employed him principally in gardening, until about 
the age of nineteen. At that age he became attached to a young 
female, (an orphan by the name of Alley Pennington,) a native 
of Cecil county, Md. She also expressed an attachment for 
him, and a willingness to become his partner for life, provided 
he could obtain his freedom. This his master agreed to grant 
him for the sum of fifty pounds. Robert now determined on 
purchasing his freedom, and communicated his determination 
and the ultimate object of it, to a professed friend by the name 
of James Bcvens, who immediately paid the sum stipulated for 
his ransom, on condition that the bill of sale should remain in 
his hands, until such time as Robert should be enabled, by the 
fruits of his industry, to repay him principal and interest. 

" Feeling myself,"' says Robert, in the words of the narra- 
tive before referred to, " now almost a free man, I did not, as 
may be supposed, suffer many hours to elapse before I hastened 
to bear the joyfiil tidings of my good fortune, to one, who, as I 
had anticipated, received it with unfeigned demonstrations of 
joy ; and who, so far from exhibiting an unwillingness to fuUfil 
her promise, yielded her hand without reluctance or distrust. 
We were married, lawfully married, and more than three years 
of domestic felicity passed away, without a misfortune to ruffle 
our repose, in the course of which the Almighty had not only 
been pleased to bless us with two children, but myself with so 
great a share of good health, as to have enabled me by my in- 
dustry, to earn and refund a very considerable portion of the 
fifty pounds paid by Bevens for my freedom. Of these sums I 
had neither made any charge, nor took any receipts : in this I was 
brought to see my error, but, alas ! too late. 

"Bevens, as I have stated, was a man in whom I had placed 
implicit confidence, and indeed until the period mentioned, sup- 
posed him, as regarded myself, incapable of any thing dishonor- 
able, much Il'SS of being the author of as great an act of cruelty 
and injustice, as ever was recorded in the catalogue of human 
depravity ! 

"It was late one evening, an evening never to be forgotten 
byme, wlule sitting in the midst of my innocent and beloved 
family, amused with the prattle of my eldest child, and enjoy- 
ing all the felicity which conjugal love and parental affection 
are productive of, that this monster in human shape (Bevens) 



ROBERT THE fir.RMIT. l>53i 

accompanied by another, entered, seized nnd pinioned me, and 
gave me to understand that 1 was intended for a southern mar- 
ket ! It is impossible for me to describe iny feehngs, or those 
of my poor distracted wife, at that moment ; it was in vain that 
I intreated, in vain that I represented to Bevens that he had al= 
ready received a very great proportion of the sum paid for my 
freedom ; to which the ruffian made no otlier reply than pro- 
nouncing me a liar, dragged me like a felon from my peaceable 
domicil — from my beloved family — -whose shrieks would have 
pierced the heart of any one but a wretch like himself." 

At eleven o'clock at night Robert was secretly hurried on 
board a schooner, put in irons, and carried to Charleston, S. C. 
Here he was sold at auction ; but succeeded in soon making his 
escape to Philadelphia, by secreting himself within the hold of 
a sloop bound for that port. The voyage occupied nearly four 
days, during which time he took no nourishment ; and finally 
managed to leave the sloop, as he had embarked, without the 
knowledge of the crew. But soon after arriving at Philadelphia, 
he was suspected of being a runaway slave, thrown into prison, 
where his master getting knowledge of him, he was again sent to 
Charleston, and exposed for sale by his new master. He was 
purchased by a Dr. Peter Fersue. After serving this last mas- 
ter about eighteen months, Robert again succeeded in secreting 
himself, in a manner similar to the one above related, in the hold 
of a brig bound for Boston. He continued secreted till the fifth 
day, when hunger and thirst compelled him to discover himself 
to the crew. The following is his account, taken from the 
" Narrative," of his introduction to the sailors, and his reception 
and treatment on board. 

" 1 seized a fragment of a hoop, with which I crawled to, and 
commenced thumping upon, a beam near the hatchvfay, at the 
same time hallooing as loud as the strength of my lungs would 
admit of. Soon I was heard by the hands on deck, and while 
some broke out in exclamations of wonder and surprize, others 
ran affrighted to the cabin, to proclaim to the captain the fact 
that " the brig was most certainly haunted, and had become the 
habitation of bodiless spirits, as one or more were at that mo- 
ment cvying out lamentably in the hold ! " Bodiless spirits they 
no doubt concluded they must be, for the hatches being so well 
secured with a tarpaulin, none other, as they supposed, could 
have obtained access. 

" The captain less superstitiously inclined, ordered the hatches 



254 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

to be immediately raised, but so great was the terror of tlie 
sailors, that it was sometime before any could be found of suffi- 
cient courage to obey. 

" The hatches were no sooner removed than I presented my- 
self to their view, trembling through fear, pale as death, and 
with hardly strength sufficient to support myself! My appear- 
ance was indeed such as almost to confirm the superstitious 
opinion of the sailors, that the brig must certainly be haunted, 
for in me they beheld, as they supposed, nought but an appari- 
tion ! the ghost, probably, of some unfortunate shipmate, who 
on a former voyage for some trifling offence, had been privately 
and wickedly precipitated from the brig's deck into the ocean ! 
Such indeed is the weakness and superstition peculiar to many 
of that class of people, who follow the seas for a Hvelihood. 

" Those on board became however a little less intimidated, 
when I assured them that I intended them no harm, and was no 
other than one of the most unfortunate and miserable of human 
beings, who had sought that means to escape from unjust and 
cruel bondage ! and then briefly related to them, at what time 
and in what manner 1 succeeded in secreting myself unnoticed 
in the brig's hold ; where it was my intention to have remained, 
if possible, until her arrival at the port of her destination — and 
concluded with begging them for mercy's sake, to grant me a 
bucket of fresh water ! for, indeed, such, was my thirst, that a 
less quantity it appeared to me would have proved insufficient to 
have allayed it. 

" The captain (who very fortunately for me, proved to be a 
Quaker, and with all the tender feeling peculiar to that excellent 
class of people) gave orders to his men to treat me with kind- 
ness, and to assist me on deck, for I had now become so weak 
and emaciated by long fasting, that I was scarcely able to help 
myself. " Thy wants shall be supplied, (said the good captain, 
addressing himself to me,) but such is thy present weakness, that 
thee must eat and drink sparingly ^^ or it may be worse for thee !" 
This man was truly in practice, as well as by profession, a 
Christian — for had he been my father he could not have 
treated me with more tenderness and compassion. He would 
allow me but a single gill of water at a draught, and that quan- 
tity but twice in an hour, although five times that quantity would 
not have satisfied me — and the food allowed me was apportioned 
accordingly. 

"In two days after, we reached Boston, where I was landed, 



ROBERT THE HERMIT. 255 

with permission of the captaui to proceed whither I pleased ; 
not however until he had imparted to me some friendly advice^ 
to be cautious with whom I associated on shore, and as I valued 
my liberty, not to frequent such parts of the town as were in- 
habited by the most vicious and abandoned of the human race. 
With this, he presented me with some change, and bid me 
farewell, and never to my knowledge have I since had the hap- 
piness to meet with this good man ; who, long ere this has pro- 
bably been numbered with the just, and if so, is now I trust 
reaping the reward of his good deeds in another and better 
world." 

From Boston he proceeded to Salem, where he shipped, as a 
sailor, on board a vessel for India. Returning in safety, he 
shipped again on the same voyage, which proved also prosper- 
ous. On the return from his second voyage, he married a 
daughter of the woman at whose house he had usually boarded 
while in Salem. Her name the " Narrative " does not give, but 
says they were married by " a Justice Putnam, of Danvers." 
Having made a comfortable provision for his family in his ab- 
sence, he embarked on a third voyage for India, which, like the 
others, proved prosperous. After remaining at home about three 
months, he shipped in the Herald, Capt. Derby, bound from 
Boston to Canton.- On this voyage he was absent eighteen 
months; but on his return, he found (according to his own state- 
ment) a most unaccountable change in the feelings of his wife 
towards him. " Cold indeed," says he, " was the reception that 
I met with. So far from expressing, or manifesting, the least 
degree of joy or satisfaction on the occasion (although I had 
been between one and two years absent), I was insultingly told 
by her that, ' if I had never returned she would have been the 
last to lament it.' " The cause of this sudden change he pro- 
fesses himself unable to account for. He then, in his own words, 
" started in quest of new friends and a new home." He stopped 
at Providence, and obtained a berth on board one of the packets 
plying between that place and New York, in which business he 
continued, wnth the exception of a small part of the time em- 
ployed on shore, eight or nine years. 

At the expiration of that period, he set out for the south, 
judging that the length of time that had intervened since his 
escape, would remove all probability of his being recognized. 
In this he was correct ; for he walked the streets at noon-day, 
unnoticed and unknown ; so great a change had twenty years 



256 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

effected. But of his wife and children he could obtairt no sat- 
isfactory information. All that he could learn was, that soon 
after his disappearance, their sufferings and privations became so 
great, that his wife, in a fit of desperation, was supposed to have 
put an end to her own existence ; and that her helpless children 
did not long survive her. From this moment he formed the 
determination to retire from a world that had no longer aught to 
attach him to it^ and to live the life of a recluse. 

" With this determination," says he, " I returned direct to 
Rhode Island, and soon after selected a retired spot well suited 
to my purpose, being an extreme point of uninhabited land (Fox 
Point) situated about one mile south of Providence bridge — 
there I built me a hut and dwelt peaceably therein for several 
years, and until annoyed and discommoded by the youth of the 
town, and by labourers employed in levelling the hill in the 
neighborhood of my dwelling — I then applied to and obtained 
the consent of the gentleman (Hon. Tristam Burges) to whom 
the land belongs, to build this hut, and permission to improve 
the spot of ground enclosed during my life — here in solitude I 
have dwelt more than six years. Once or twice a week (and 
sometimes oftener) I leave my recess, cross over the bridge into 
Providence, converse a little with those with whom I have be- 
come acquainted, obtain a few necessaries, and return again well 
satisfied to my peaceable dwelling." 

The following descripiion of the personal appearance of Rob- 
ert, his habits, and manner of living, his cell, and his religious 
belief, are in the words of Mr. Trumbull's narrative ; and, as 
we have pursued the history of this singular and unfortunate be- 
ing so far, may, perhaps, interest the reader. 

" Robert is apparently about 60 years of age,* a little" short 
of six feet in height, inclined to corpulency, his features per- 
fectly regular, and of a complexion but a shade or two darker 
than that of many who profess to be, and pass for, whites. In 
his early years he states that it was much more fair, but of late 
years, having been so much exposed to the smoke of his cell, 
has become much changed. The lower part of his face is cov- 
ered with a thick and curly beard, of a jet black, and of uncom- 
mon length : his garments, or many of them, are of his own 
manufacture, and whenever a breach appears in any one article, 
it is either closed by him in a bungling manner, with needle and 

* 1829. 



ROBERT THE HERMIT. 257 

twine, or a patch is applied without regard to the quality or col- 
or of the cloth. The tattered surtout coat commonly worn by 
him, in his excursions abroad in winter, in imitation of the mil- 
itary, he has fancifully faced with red, in which, with a cap of 
the same cloth and with his long beard, it would not be very 
surprising if he should sometimes be viewed by strangers, as 
some distinguished ambassador from the court of Tombuctoo, or 
one of the loyal subjects of the Grand Seniour, clad in the mil- 
itary costume of his country. 

" Robert is remarkably abstemious, and otherwise correct in 
hjs habits, never known to be guilty of profenity, is civil and 
agreeable in his manners, polite and condescending to all who 
visit him, and always willing to gratify the Curiosity of such as 
feel disposed to inspect the internal part of his cell ; and ever 
grateful for presents made him. He appears perfectly reconciled 
to, and satisfied with, his retired situation, and on the writer's ex- 
pressing some surprise that he should prefer a secluded life, to 
that of the enjoyment of society, he observed that he had been 
too long the subject of the frowns and persecutions of a portion 
of his fellow beings, to derive that pleasure and satisfaction from 
their society which the less unfortunate might naturally enjoy. 

" The walls of his cave or cell, are constructed principally of 
round stones of inconsiderable size, rudely thrown together, and 
externally have as much the appearance of being the produce 
of nature as of art ; and although they form a square of thirty 
or forty feet in circumference, yet are so thick and m'assy, as to 
enclose only a single apartment of not sufficient size to contain 
more than two or three persons at a time, and so low as not to 
admit of their standing erect, and indeed is in every respect of 
much less comfortable construction than many of our pig pens. 
About the centre there is a fire place rudely formed, from which 
proceeds a flue in form of a chimney ; and at the extreme end 
of his cell Robert has constructed a berth or bunk, in which, 
filled with rags and straw, he reposes at night. Beside the fire 
place stands a block, detached from the but of an oak, which 
not only serves him for a seat and table, but being partly hollow, 
inverted, for a mortar, in which he occasionally pounds his corn, 
and of which wlien sufficiently refined, he manufactures his 
bread. In cooking utensils Robert is quite deficient; the one 
half of an iron pot is the only article made use of by him, in 
which he prepares his food ; a small piece of iron hoop serves 
him for a knife, and a few articles of damaged delf ware, and 
33 



258 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

an old sea bucket, for the conveyance of water from a neighbor- 
ing spring, are nearly the whole contents of his wretched hoveL 
The materials of which the roof is constructed, are similar to 
those which compose the walls of his cell ; and althotJgh of 
many tons in weight, is altogether supported by a few slender 
half decayed props, on the strength of which depends the life 
of poor Robert j should they fail, without the possibility of an 
escape, his hut would instantaneously become his grave. 

" To his gloomy cell there are but oite or two apertures or 
loopholes, for the admission of light, which in winter are com- 
pletely closed^ as is every crack and crevice, with seaweed j this- 
renders the apartment stilJ more dark and gloomy than it other- 
wise would bc^ as when the door is closed to expel the cold^ 
Robert remains within, day and night, in almost total darkness.^ 
In summer Robert employs a considerable portion of bis time in 
the cultivation of a small spot of ground, contiguous to his huty 
of 7 or 8 rods square, which he has inclosed m an ingenious 
mannei' with small twigs and interwoven branches of hemlock 
and juniper ; the soil is so extremely barren and unproductive, 
that it seldom })Toduces annually more than three or four bushels 
of potatoes, a peck or two of corn, and a few quarts of beans ; 
yet with this smalt crop, Robert is apparently better satisfied 
and more thankful than many, whose insatiable thirst for worldly 
gain leads them, not to an acknowledgment of gratitude due the 
Supreme Author of all good gifts, but rather, in imitation of the 
one of whom we read, to most bitter complaints, that their barns 
are not of sufficient size to contain their abundant crops. 

" Having been told that Robert devoted a portion of his time 
to reading, I offered to present him with a Bible, and some reli- 
gious Tracts, for which he appeared grateful, but informed me 
that he was already in possession of both ^ the gift of a pious lady 
of Providence ; which led me to make some enquiries as regard- 
ed his religious sentiments — his opinion of the existence of a 
Supreme Being — of the immortality of the soul — of future re- 
wards and punishments, &£c. to which be unhesitatingly replied, 
that he never doubted the existence of a Supreme Being, from 
whom although invisible to us, nothing could be concealed, and 
to whom he believed we were all accountable beings, and would 
hereafter receive rewards or punishments according to the deeds 
of the body. From this belief he said he derived great conso- 
lation ; for, although great had been his trials and troubles in this 
world, he was not without a hope, that by complying with the 



ROBERT THE HERMIT. 259 

terms of the gospel of a blessed Redeemer, he might be permit- 
led in another to participate in those eternal enjoyments which 
were the promised rewards of the faithful." 

By the generosity of some individuals, Robert afterwards had 
a more comfortable habitation erected, and where he terminated 
his life. 

In his last sickness he was comfortably provided for by the 
Selectmen of Seekonk ; and the expenses of his burial were also 
defrayed by the town. 

Nathan Smith, M. D., Professor in the medical schools of 
Dartmouth, Yale, and Bowdoin colleges, was born at Rehoboth, 
September 30, 1762. While he was still young, his parents 
removed to Chester, Windsor county, Vermont, where they re- 
mained until their death. Of liis early life we know little, ex- 
cept that it was spent in acquiring the elements of education at 
the common country schools, and in aiding his father in agri- 
cultural pursuits on his farm. The following neatly drawn and 
animated sketch of the life and hxbors of Dr. Smith, is extract- 
ed from an eulogium,* pronounced on the occasion af his death, 
by J- Knight, M. D., professor o[ anatomy and physiology, in 
Yale College, 

" Before he arrived at the period of manhood, in some of the 
latter years of the revolutionary war, he joined a body of the 
Vermont militia, which was stationed on the frontiers of that 
state, to repel the incursions o[ the Indian tribes of the neigh- 
borhood, and to keep them in check. How long he continued 
in this service is not known. He frequently alluded to the hard- 
ships and privations which he endured, while encamped in what 
was then a wilderness, with few of the necessaries, and none of 
the conveniences of life. While on this expedition he was 
shot at, and narrowly missed, by an Indian lying in ambush. 
These privations and dangers were not, however, peculiar to 
hira, but were endured in common with many thousands of oth- 
ers of the hardy and enterprising inhabitants of our frontier set- 
tlements, during that perilous period, when property and life 
were exposed to all the dangers of savage warfare. While re- 
siding at his father's a portion of his time was occupied with 
what was then almost a necessary employment ; securing the 
game, and destroying the beasts of prey of the neighboring for- 

* For a copy of this eulogium, and for soma additional facts respecting Dr. 
Smith, I am indebted to the kindness of professor Silliman. 



260 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

ests. In tliesG pursuits, small parties of young men were often 
absent from home for many days. On one of these excursions, 
he was left by his companions, in mid winter, at a distance from 
home, with a slender stock of provisions. \\ hile waiting for 
their return, his supplies were exhausted, and what was more 
unfortunate, a sudden thaw came on, which, softening the sur- 
face of the snow, then many feet in depth, rendered travelling 
impracticable. Here he was detained several days, subsisting 
entirely on the unsalted rtesh of some game which he had taken. 
By the time the impediments to travelling wcreremoved, he 
found himself afflicted in consequence of exjiosure and im- 
proper food, with a severe and distressing diseas*'. With diffi- 
culty he reached the nearest house, where, and at his father's, 
he was, for many months, confined by sickness. Thus his life 
passed on in a course of laborious industry, and of hardy enter- 
prize, until he arrived at the age of twenty-four years. What 
his mental acquirements at this period were, we have no means 
of judging. And, although from the limited means of instruc- 
tion which he enjoyed, we cannot rate them high, yet, from the 
fact that he was engaged during some of the winter months, as 
teacher of a school in the vicinity, we are warranted in the be- 
lief, that they were more than were ordinarily obtained by the 
young men of the period, in that country. 

" At this time an event occurred, which gave a new direction 
to his thoughts and his life. This event, trivial in its nature, 
and apparently casual, led him to the study, and finally to the 
practice, of a profession, which, for more than forty years, he 
adorned and improved. The events to be stated, add one 
more to the many well known cases, which show, by how small 
and apparently inoperative means, a wise overruling Providence 
controls and directs the affairs both of individuals and of nations. 
Mr. Smith was present, almost without design on his part, at a 
surgical operation performed by Dr. Josiah Goodhue, then, and 
for years afunwards, the most celebrated surgeon in (hat region. 
By witnessing this operation, his attention was directed to the 
structure of the human body, and his curiosity excited to learn 
more of a subject at once so novel and interesting. Shortly 
after, he mentioned to Dr. Goodhue his desire to engage in the 
study of medicine, and requested permission to enter his office 
as a student. The Doctor judiciously inquired of him, for they 
were almost strangers to each other, what had been his previous 
course of life, and what were his acquirements. The reply 



NATHAN SMITH. Sf)! 

was, until last night, I have labored with my hnnds during my 
life. Dr. Goodhue told him kindly, that he was not in the hab- 
it of receiving young men as students, who had not received 
some preparatory education : giving him as the reason for this, 
that the profession of medicine was in alow state in that part of 
the country, and that to elevate it in reality and in public esti- 
mation, young men properly qualified only, shoidd be encour- 
aged to engage in it. In conclusion, he stated to Mr. Smith, 
that if he would place himself under the tuition of some person 
capable of instructing him, and acquire so nmch literary infor- 
mation, as would enable him to enter the freshmen class of 
Harvard College, he would then receive him as a student. This 
judicious advice was happily followx^d. He selected the Rev. 
Mr. Whiting of Rockingham, Vt. as his instructor. With him 
he remained until the required condition was fulfilled. For 
three years after this he was a pupil of Dr. Goodhue, then re- 
siding in Putney, Vt. The assiduity and success with which 
he pursued his professional studies, are fully attested by his in- 
structor, who always regarded him, with that esteem and affec- 
tion, which can be excited in the mind of an instructor, only by 
diligence and good conduct on the part of the pupil. These 
kind feelings were fully reciprocated by Dr. Smith. He always 
spoke of this, his early friend, in the warmest terms of esteem 
and gratitude, as well for his early advice, as for his subsequent 
instruction, and for his countenance and support after he engag- 
ed in the practice of his profession. That respectable gentle- 
man still lives, and will mourn at the tidings of the death of a 
favorite pupil and devoted friend. 

" Dr. Smith commenced the active duties of his profession 
at Cornish in N. H. After practising, with what reputation or 
success we are not fully informed, for two or three years, he 
visited Harvard University, for the purpose of availing himself 
of the advantages which that celebrated institution afforded. 
Here, he attended the several courses of lectures on Medicine 
and surgery, as well as those on Natural Philosophy, and other 
means of instruction, to which peisons, not members of the aca- 
demical department, could gain admission. At the close of the 
term at Cambridge, he read an inaugural dissertation on ' The 
Circulation of the Blood,' which was received with high appro- 
bation, and, at the request of the faculty, w^as published. Hav- 
ing received the degree of Bachelor of Medicine from this 
University, he returned to Cornish, and engaged anew, with in- 



369 BIOGRAPHICAL SKRTCHFS. 

creased information and enlarged means of usefulness, in the 
practice of his profession. 

" At this period the medical profession, in that vicinity was at 
a low ebh. The country itself, was to a great extent a wilder- 
ness, throughout which were interspersed flourishing towns and 
villages. This state of the country was a type of the medical 
profession. The large majority of the physicians were unedu- 
cated and unskilful. This was true with respect to all of New- 
Hampshire, except Portsmouth and its vicinity, as well as the 
neighboring state of Vermont. There were physicians and 
surgeons, respectable for their talents and attainments, scattered 
over this region ; but they were few when compared with the 
whole number. This state of his favorite profession was pain- 
ful to the benevolent and enterprising mind of Dr. Smith. In- 
stead of merely taking advantage of it, to elevate himself by 
the ignorance of others, he early engaged, with his usual vigor, 
to correct it. The most obvious and effectual means to remedy 
this evil, was to furnish those who were about to enter upon 
the profession, with an opportunity of obtaining a correct pro- 
fessional education. To accomplish this object, he projected 
the plan of a medical institution in connexion with Dartmouth 
College, located at Hanover in New Ham.pshire. The plan 
was soon completed, and Dr. Smith was appointed professor of 
medicine. For several years, the business of instruction in the 
various branches of medicine and surgery, as well as the aux- 
iliary sciences, was performed by him alone. To qualify him- 
self more thoroughly for this employment, which he probably 
foresaw was to occupy a large portion of his future life, he de- 
termined to derive larger stores of knowledo:e from what had 
been long considered as the fountain of medical science ; the 
school of Edinburgh. He accordingly left a practice which 
had then become lucrative, and again became a pupil, seeking 
instruction from those who were well qualified to give it. He 
spent about a year in Great Britain, partly, in attending a full 
course of Medical Lectures in Edinburgh, where the elder 
Monro and Dr. Black were then active teachers ; and partly in 
witnessing the practice of the hospitals in London. That this 
visit was full of interest and improvement to him cannot be 
doubted. He was perhaps in the best state to be improved by 
it. He was of mature years, had studied and practised enough 
to know, not only in general what every physician should learn, 



NATHAN SMITH. ggS 

but, what in particular was necessary for him ; and he was ar- 
dent and zealous in the cause of his profession. His course^ 
after his return to his native country, was one of almost unri- 
valled success. The medical school, which he was the means 
of estabhshing, flourished in a high degree, under his auspices, 
and those of the able professors who were, in the course of a 
few years associated with him. The number of puj)ils, which, 
for several years after the establishment of the school was about 
twenty, gradually increased, so that for many of the last years 
of his connection with it, the average number was not far from 
sixty. These, upon the completion of their education, were 
scattered over the neighboring parts of New Hampshire and 
Vermont, and other more distant places in JSew England. They 
gradually occupied the stations rendered vacant by the death of 
the older members of the profession, and by the loss of business 
of those who were incompetent. Thus, that portion of the 
country became filled with a race of young, enterprising, intelli- 
gent physicians, who all justly looked up to Dr. Smith, as 
their friend and professional father. This, together with his de- 
servedly high, and continually increasing reputation, as a kind, 
attentive, and skilful physician and surgeon, necessarily drew 
upon him a vast amount of business. Every physician, espe- 
cially all who had been his pupils, desired him as their coun- 
sellor : the sick and the friends of the sick, looked to him as 
their last resort in all cases of difficulty. 

" The labor which he endured in traversing, for the most part 
on horseback, such an extensive country, then, in part, almost 
a wilderness, over mountainous regions, and roads which were 
often nearly impassable, at every season and in every vicissitude 
of weather ; the good which he accomplished, in affording ad- 
vice and instruction, and by imparting a portion of his own 
vigor and energy to the younger members of the profession, as 
well as the more direct benefit which he afforded to the sick and 
distressed, can scarcely be estimated. 

" Thus he continued his laborious and successful exertions in 
the business of instruction at Hanover, and in the practice of 
his profession, in that vicinity, until the autumn of 1813. At 
this time, he accepted the invitation, which had been previously 
given him, to occupy the chair of a professor, in the Medical 
Institution of Yale College, then just established in this city. 
From that time to the present, he has delivered an annual 
course of lectures, on the Theory and Practice of Physic and 



264 



HiOGllAPHICAL SKETCHES). 



Surgery, to the class of medical students in this Institutiort. 
Since that period, he has also delivered a course of lectures on 
the same branches at Dartmouth College ; one at the Vermont 
University in Burlington ; and two at the recently established 
and flourishing Medical Institution of Brunswick College in 
Maine. 1o trace the career of Dr. Smith, as an instructor, and 
as a practitioner of physic and surgery, since his removal to this 
city, would be only to repeat the account which has been given 
of him, while residing in Hanover. To this place have resort- 
ed for many years past, from seventy to ninety young men ; 
and it is no injustice to Dr. Smith's associates, to say, that a 
principal object lias been, to learn from his wisdom and experi- 
ence, the practical parts of their profession. Here, the sick and 
unfortunate, from every part of the country, have collected to 
receive the benefit of his skill. In addition to his practice in 
the immediate vicinity, he has been called to visit, professional- 
ly, every county, and almost every town in the state, as well as 
many more distant places in the neighboring states. Thus his 
life has been one continued scene of active, laborious and use- 
ful exertion. '^ 

About the middle of July, 1829, Dr. Smith was seized with 
a severe illness, which left him in very precarious health. He 
continued weak and debilitated through the remainder of sum- 
mer and autumn ; but, with the exception of a few days, dis- 
charged his accustomed arduous duties. On the 13th of the 
succeeding January, he first perceived a slight numbness of the 
left hand, with other symptoms of paralysis, which gradually in- 
creased, until the morning of the 26th, at six o'clock, when, af- 
ter a long and brilliant career of usefulness, he slept the sleep 
of death. He was then in the sixty-seventh year of his age. 
He was interred in the burying ground at New Haven, where a 
neat marble monument, after the model of that of Scipio at 
Rome, has been erected over his grave. 

" That Professor Smith, " — to borrow still farther the elegant 
language of Dr. Knight, " was no ordinary man, the story of 
his life already told, most conclusively proves. In early life he 
was a poor boy, in a comparatively obscure village, with a lim- 
ited education, and still more limited means of advancing it. 
Thus he remained, until past the period when most men are 
fixed in their situation for life. At this time his mind received 
a new impulse. He resolved to render himself useful and dis- 
tinguished. Having chosen his profession, he entered at once, 



NATHAN SMITH. 265 

tvlth the decision which marked his character through hfe, upon 
the work of preparing himself for it. The means of acquiring 
an education were furnished almost entirely by his own exer- 
tions. He appears for many years, to have laboured to acquire 
property, Only to expend it in advancing his knowledge of lite- 
rature and medicine. Following this purpose with untiring 
zeal, he obtained a medical education, such as was then almost 
unknown in New England. With the same zeal, activity and 
intelHgencej he entered upon the practice of his profession, and 
subsequently upon the business of instruction. By pursuing 
this course his reputation gradually increased, until he became 
more extensively known, than any other medical man in New 
England. Indeed it is doubted whether any other man in New 
England, of any profession, possessed so large a number of 
personal acquaintances and friends. 

"His acquaintance was not only extensive, but reached to eve- 
ry rank in society. The poor knew him as their benefactor ; 
the sick, as their skilful, attentive physician ; the rich were 
honored by his society ; and the wise and the good received him 
as their friend and companion. 

" At the same time, his influence over medical literature was 
equally extensive. This influence was exerted, through his 
large acquaintance among medical men, by his advice and ex- 
ample, as well as more directly through the medium of the va- 
rious medical schools, which were favored with his instructions. 
By means of his influence thus exerted, he effected, over a 
large extent of country, a great and salutary change in the 
medical profession. The assertion, that he has done more for 
the improvement of physic and surgery in New England, than 
any other man, will, by no one, be deemed invidious. If the 
accomphshment of objects so important, w^ith means so limited ; 
the raising and sustaining so high and extensive a reputation, 
from so humble an origin ; the advancing in such a degree, one 
of the liberal professions, over so large a country, be not marks 
of strong native talent, fostered by industry, I know not where 
indications of such talent can be found." 

Dr. Smith possessed a strong, discriminating, and inquisitive 
mind ; a retentive memory ; a remarkable power of reducing 
all the knowledge which he acquired, to some useful practical 
purpose ; an undaunted moral courage ; a delicate and tender sen- 
sibility ; and a feeling and benevolent heart. His manners were 
pleasing and interesting ; he possessed high social qualities ; and 
34 



266 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

in all companies — learned or unlearned, polished or othenvise, 
his free and animated conversation, his fund of lively anecdote, 
and the acuteness of his remarks upon all subjects, whether re- 
lating to the common affairs of life, or the more important con- 
cerns of morals and literature, rendered him a welcome guest. 
His works, entitled '' Medical and Surgical Memoirs," were 
published, 8vo., 1831. One of his sons, Nathan R. Smith, is 
a distinguished jDhysician at Baltimore, and a professor in the 
Baltimore Medical College. A second, Dr. Solon Smith, re- 
sides at Sutton, Mass. ; and a third, Dr. Morven Smith, at 
Westfield, Mass. 

Benjamin West, L. L. D., a distinguished mathematician 
and philosopher, was born at Rehoboth in the year 1730. His 
grandfather came from Great Britain, and settled in the part of 
Rehoboth adjoining Swansey. His father, who was a respecta- 
ble farmei'j removed, wiiile Benjamin was but a boy, to Bristol, 
R. I, In that village he received all the education, which was 
not the fruit of his own unaided and persevering exertions, from 
the Rev. Mr. Burt, From his earhest years he discovered a re- 
markable fondness and aptness for mathematical studies. His 
pecuniary resources were very limited ; and Mr. Burt, who could 
discover in the expanding mind (jf the boy the germ of the fu- 
ture eminence of the man, kindly furnished him with books, and 
did whatever was in his power to foster bis rising genius. 

Frowned on by fortune, but gifted by nature with powers 
above the ability of gold to purchase, his uncommon acquisitions 
were the admiration of his contemporaries, and secured to him 
a reputation, which few, with no greater advantages, have ever 
attained. The mathematics, in their several departments, were 
his favorite study, though he made respectable, and even exten- 
sive, acquisitions in general knowledge. 

About the year 1753, he removed to Providence, where he 
opened a school. This, however, after some time, he relinquished; 
and, from an expectation of improving his pecuniary circumstan- 
ces, engaged in mercantile pursuits. While in this occupation, 
he opened the first book-store in Providence. He continued in 
this business till the commencement of the Revolutionary war, 
when, in consequence of the embarrassment of his affairs, he 
was obliged to relinquish commercial business entirely, and seek 
some other employment for the support of his family. During 
the w^ar Mr. West was a zealous patriot ; and. Providence being 



BENJAMIN WEST. 267 

a depot for military stores anil supplies for the American army, 
he was engaged in manufacturing clothing for our troops till very 
n«ar the close of the war. During all this time, however, he 
found some leisure for study, and applied himself to his favorite 
pursuit with an unyielding energy. About the year 1763, he 
commenced the publication of an almanac, the astronomical cal- 
culations designed for the meridian of Providence ; and contin- 
ued to publish it annuaMy till about 1793. In, or about, the 
year 1766, he calculated an almanac for the meridian of Halifax, 
(Nova-Scotia); and continued to furnish annually the copy of 
an almanac calculated for that meridian, until near the close of 
his life in 1813, with the exception of a short period during the 
Revolutionary war. As early as 1766, he made some very 
accurate observations upon a comet that appeared that year, 
which he communicated to Piofessor Winthrop of Cambridge. 
The transit of Venus, which occurred on the 3d of June, 
1769, and that of Mercury, which happened in November fol- 
lowing, afforded him a favorable opportunity of establishing a 
more extended and permanent reputation, as a mathematician 
and astronomer. He published a tract on the transits of these 
planets ; and also funiished a communication respecting them to 
the Royal Society of [jondon. The reputation which he had 
by this time acquired led him to a correspondence with some of 
the most distinguished scientific men in the country, on various 
mathematical and astronomical subjects. In 1770 he received 
the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Harvard University. 
In 1770 he was unanimously elected a memberof the American 
Academy of Arts and Sciences, and received their diploma. 
He was also made an honorary member of the American Philo- 
sophical Society at Philadelphia. Soon after the close of the 
Revolutionary war, he resumed the business of teaching a school, 
and continued in this employment till 1786, v. hen he w^as elected 
Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy in Brown University ; 
but did not enter upon the actual discharge of the duties of his 
professorship, until 1788. During this interval, he officiated as 
Professor of Mathematics, in the Protestant Episcopal Academy 
at Philadelphia. Whilst here he enjoyed the society and friend- 
ship of the distinguished scientific men of that city ; and among 
the number were Franklin and Rittenhouse. In 1788, he en- 
tered upon the duties of his professorship at Providence ; and 
at the commencement, in 1792, the degree of Doctor of Laws 
was conferred upon him for his distinguished services in the 
cause of science. The duties of his professorship he continued 



268 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

to discharge, with equal credit to himself and advantage to the 
institution, till the year 1799, when he retired from a situation 
to which he had imparted honor. In 1802, Mi'. West was ap- 
pointed Post-master at Providence, which situation he filled till 
his death, that occurred August 13, 1813, in the 83d year of 
his age. 

Besides his observations on the transits of the planets. Mer- 
cury and Venus, Mr. West furnished several articles, which are 
to be found in the memoirs of the literary societies with which 
he was connected. He also left behind him many writings 
which he contemplated issuing from the press. He collected, 
with much expense, a library, containing many i are and valuable 
works in the several departments of science, to which he was 
passionately attached. His wife was Elizabeth Smith, daughter 
of Benjamin Smith of Bristol, R. I. He left one son and three 
daughters. — [Alderi's Collection of Am. Epitaphs and Inscrip- 
tions, Vol. IV. jj. 85, No. 689. Gazetteer of Connecticut 
and Rhode Island, by C. Pease and John M. Niles, Hart- 
ford, 1819.] 

Rev. Josephus Wheaton, A. M. was a native of Reho- 
both, and son of Capt. Joseph, and Mrs. Sarah S. Wheaton. 
He early evinced a taste for study and reading, which led him, 
by his own unaided exertions, to acquire a liberal education. 
He graduated at Brown University, September 1812. In 1813, 
while pursuing his studies pi'eparatory for the ministry, he was 
appointed a Tutor in the University, and sustained the place 
with ability and respect, two years ; when he accepted an invi- 
tation from the Congregational Church in Holliston, (Mass.) to 
become their pastor. He continued in Holliston till his death, 
which occurred February 4, 1825, at the age of thirty seven. — 
At the uni\ ersity, says a fellow student, (Rev. Jacob Ide,) "he 
was distinguished as a scholar of superior abilities, diligent ap- 
plication to his studies, amiable disposition, and engaging man- 
ners." — " Never," says the same friend, " was I acquainted with 
a man who more cordially despised every thing like meanness, 
or who w^as himself less liable to an imputation of this disgust- 
ing trait of character." His manners were dignified and concil- 
iating ; and politeness with him seemed to be, not the effect of 
studied habit, but tlie overflowing of a benevolent heart. His 
attainments as a scholar were highly respectable. He was a 
great admiier of the classics ; and it was his usual practice to 
read, every day, a portion of some favorite author of antiquirv 



THOMAS WII.LKTT. 2fi9 

As a minister he was useful and beloved ; and lils memory is 
still held in grateful remembrance by his church and society in 
HoUiston, to whom he was devotedly attached. — He married^ 
January, 1816, Miss Mary Ide, the daughter of Mr. Daniel, 
and Mrs. Sarah Ide, of Seekonk, an amiable and accom- 
plished lady. She was a native of Frankhn, and was born 
October 1, 1790. Her father died in her infancy, at Seekonk, 
whither he had removed but a short time before ; and her moth- 
er, who still survives, was afterwards married to Peter Hunt, 
Esq. of the same town. Mrs. Wheaton died of consumption, 
July 28, 1817, at the age of tv.'enty six, leaving one child, ason 
four months old. — Afterwards Mr. Wheaton married Miss Abi- 
gail F. Fales, a lady of Wrentham, to which town, on the death 
of her husband, she returned, and where she continues to reside. 
He left two children, by his second wife, a son and a daughter : 
a third, and the youngest, died during Mr. VVheaton's last illness, 
a few weeks before its father. — [Rev. Jacob Lie's Funeral Ser- 
711071 of Mr. Wheaton, and Hev. Benjamin Wood''s Sermon 
on the Death of Mrs. Mary I. fflieaton.] 

Horatio G. Wheaton, M. D. a native of Rehoboth, and 
a younger brother of the former, and who like him could boast 
of having depended, for his education, on his own exertions, 
graduated at Brown University, in September, 1820, and studied 
medicine under Dr. J. W. Whitridge, of Charleston. He fell 
a victim to the yellow fever, and died at Charleston^ where he 
had just entered on the practice of his profession, October 8, 
1824, during his elder brother's last sickness. He was distin- 
guished as a scholar of fine talents, and a young man of high 
promise. 

Capt. Thomas Willett, one of the principal men in 
Plymouth colony, and the first English mayor of the city of 
New York, was one of the last of the Leyden company who 
came to this country, and arrived at Plymouth about 1629.* 
He was then but eighteen or nineteen years old ; had been 
bred a merchant ; and, as the greater part or the whole of his 

* In a copy of " Alden's Collection of Epitaphs," vol. ii. p. 219, now in the 
possession of the Hon. Nath'l M. Davis, of Plymouth, that had formerly belong- 
ed to his uncle, the renowned antiquarian, Samuel Davis, I found the follow- 
ing note in the margin, in the hand writing of the latter : " Mr. Willett came 
to Plymouth about 1G29, and lived there till about 16G4, then went to Swan- 
sey. S. D." That Mr. Willet emigrated to this country, as early, certainly, 
as 1629, we have clear evidence, fromWinthrop's Journal, vol. i. p. 322, where he 
is mentioned as being at Kennebec that year, as we shall see on the next page. 



270 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

life had been spent in Holland, he had acquired an intimate 
knowledge of the niaiiiiers, customs, and language of the Dutch : 
a circumstance which made him ' so acceptable ' to the Dutch 
of New York. On his arrival, he was sent by the people of 
Plymouth, who had established a trading house at Kennebeck, 
to superintend their business as agent. While residing there 
Governor Winthrop relates of him, [Winthrop's Journal, Sav- 
age's ed. vol. i. p. 322,] the following curious anecdote: — • 
" At Kennebec, the Indians wanting food, and there being 
store in the Plymoutli tradine; house, they conspired to kill the 
English there for their provision ; and some Indians coming in- 
to the house of Mr. VVillett, the master of the house, being 
reading in the bible, his countenance was more solemn than at 
other times, so as he did not look cheerfully upon them, as he 
was wont to do ; whereupon they went out and told their fel- 
lows, that their purpose was discovered. They asked them 
how it could be ? The others told them that they knew it by 
Mr. Willett's countenance, and that he had discovered it by a 
book that he was rea(Hng. Whereupon they gave over their de- 
sign." He continued at Kennebec probably about six or seven 
years. He then married a lady at Plymouth, and removed, as 
there is some reason to believe, to Dorchester ;* and thence, 
between the years 1641 and 1646, returned to Plymouth. In 
1647, he became the successor of Miles Standish, in the 
command of the military company at Plymouth.f In 1651, 
he was elected one of the Governour's Assistants, and was 
annually continued in that office till 1665 ; when the pressure 
of other duties obliged him to decline, and James Brown, of 
Svvansey, was chosen his successor. In February, 1660, we 
find Mr. Willett an inhabitant of Rehoboth ; and obtaining lib- 
erty of the town to take up large tracts of land in its vicinity. J 
In 1661, empowered by the Court of Plymouth, and having 

*"I find,'" says Daggett, [Hist of Attleborough, p. 130], " the following 
on the Boston Records, (copied firom Dorchester,) by which it appears that 
there was a Thomas Willett in the latter town— probably the same. His 
wife, perhaps, resided there during his absence at Kennebeck. ' John, son of 
Thomas Willett and Mary his wife, born 8th, 5th mo. 163-; Jonathan, born 
27th 5th mo. 1738,— dyed 15th, 6th mo. ib. ; Mary, born 26th, 6th mo. 1639; 
Mehitible, born 14th, 1st mo. 1641.' " 

If we compare this note with the date of Mr. Willett's marriage, (1636,) 
and with the dates of the births of his children, recorded at Plymouth, and 
found near the close of the present sketch, we shall see that it is quite prob- 
able that our Mr. Willett resided for a while in Dorchester. 

t Old Colony Records. 

t See supra, p. 50. 



TIJOMAS WILLETT. 271 

obtained, as just mentioned, the consent of ibe town of Relio- 
both, he purchased of Wamsitta, or (as he was called by the 
Enghsh) Alexander, the elder son of Massassoit, the large tract 
of land, afterwards called Rchoboth North Purchase, now At- 
tleborough and Cumberland. This tract he relinquished into 
the hands of the Plymouth colony, in 1666. In addition to 
this, he was also the original purchaser of Taunton North 
Purchase, (now Norton, Mansfield and Easton), as well as of 
many other tracls of land in the vicinity. 

On the surrender of New York to the English, under Col. 
NicoUs, in August, 1664, by the Dutch governor Stuyvesant* 
Capt. Willett attended the Commissioners of Appeals — Nich- 
olls, Carr, Cartwright, and Maverick, — to that city ; and ren- 
dered them great service, by his acquaintance with thecustomsy 
usages and languaoe of the Dutch, in organizing the new gov- 
ernment. Judge Davis informs us, [Memorial, p. 311], that 
" Col. Nicolls, in a letter to Gov. Prince, written from New 
York, the spring after the reduction of the Dutch settlements, 
requests that Captain Willett may have such dispensation from 
his official engagements in Plymouth colony, as to be at liberty 
to assist in the modelling and reducing the affairs, in those settle- 
ments, into good English. He remarks that Mr. Willett was 
more acquainted with the manners and customs of the Dutch, 
than any Englishman in the country, and that his conversation 
was very acceptable to them." He performed his duties here 
to the entire satisfaction of all concerned ; and his services were 
so highly appreciated, and he rendered himself so popular with 
the people, that, after the organization of the government, he 
was elected the first English mayor of the city of New York. 
He was elected a second time to the office. So much confi- 
dence had the Dutch in his integrity, that he was by them cho- 
sen umpire, to determine the disputed boundary between New 
York and New Haven. 

The town records of Rehoboth, of the dates of December 
20th, 1664, and January 24th, 1665,* mention Mr. Willett as 
a resident of the town, as he is chosen to some offices : this 
must have been at the time, that, according to previously cited 
authority, he was engaged at New York. We know that he 
still retained his plantation at Rehoboth ; and, in order to recon- 
cile the two statements, we must suppose that Mr. Willett, while 
employed and holding his office at New York, spent some part 
of his lime at Rehoboth ; where, after having completed his 
* See supra, pp. 59, 60. 



272 TiiOMAS WILLETT. 

term of office at tlie foniier place, lie returned to reside. Hd 
was appointed to an office by the town in April, 1666. In 1667, 
Mr. Willett's name appears the first on the list of individuals td 
wliom liberty was granted ' to become a township by the name 
Swansea.' In the settlement of that town Mr. Willett may 
justly be considered the most prominent man ; and he and the 
Rev. John Myles are usually styled the fathers of it. He con- 
tinued to reside on hi? plantation in Swansey during the re- 
mainder of his life. 

Capt. Willett married Mary Brown — 'generally supposed to 
be the daughter of Mr. John Brown the elder, at Plymouth, 
July 6, 1636. Their children were, Thomas ;* Hester, born 
July 6, 1647 ; Rebeca, died April 2, 1652 ; James, born No- 
vember 24, 1649 ; Andrew, Samuel, Hezekiah, who died the 
26th of July, 1651 ; Hezekiah 2d, born November 16, 1652, 
and slain in Philip's war. James married Eliza, daughter of 
Lieut. Peter Hunt of Rehoboth, April 17, 1673 ; Hezekiah 2d 
married Anna, daughter of Mr. John Brown 2d, of Rehoboth, 
January 7, 1675. John Saffin, who had resided in Scituate and 
Swansey, married a daughter of Capt. Willett, and settled in 
Bristol, R. I. ; and Samuel Hooker,f of Farmington, Ct., mar- 
ried another daughter. 

Several of Mr. Willett's descendants have distinguished them- 
selves in the history of the country. His grandson Francis was 
a prominent man in Rhode Island colony. Another descendant, 
his great-grandson, the late Col. Marinus Willett, served with 
distinguished honor in the Revolutionary war ; and was also 
Mayor of the city of New- York. Memoirs of his life have been 
recently published by his son, William M. Willett. 

Capt. Willett died in Swansey, August 4, 1674, at the age 
of sixty three. He was buried at the head of Bullock's Cove, 
in what is now Seekonk, where a rough stone still stands to 
mark the spot, on which is legible the following brief, and rude- 
ly-carved inscription : 

58^crf Inetl) tfte hoUv of tiie iDortf)a» ^Tfjomas SUSffUctt, 3Ssq. tol)o Ufeti August 

ve HVtf) fn je 1 1: f to 1 1) Year of J)fs afle ^nno=* 

iM!Ft)o teas ti)c first ^ajor of 'Nclu Yorfe, anlr ttofce URr sustafn 

tl)c place. 

His wife Mary died about 1669, and is buried by his side. 

* For this account of Mr. Willett's family I am indebted to Daggett's Hist, of At- 
tleborough. 
t Baylies' Memoir of Plymouth Colony. 



LAWYERS PHYSICIANS. 273 

LAWYERS.* 

Apollos Ciishman, Esq. was born at Middleborougli, in 1782 ; 
graduated at Brown University, September, 1802 ; and com- 
menced the practice of law in Pawtucket, in 1815, where he 
now resides. 

Collins Darling, Esq., was born at Bellingham, Norfolk 
county, October 14, 1785 ; graduated at Brown University, 
September, 1810; practised law one year at Providence, R. I. 
and removed to Pawtucket, April, 1815, where he has since 
followed his profession. 

Hon. James Ellis, son of the Rev. John Ellis, was born at 
Rehoboth ; graduated at Brown University, September, 1791 ; 
commenced the practice of law at Rehoboth (in the part now 
Seekonk) ; thence removed to Taunton, and was appointed 
County Attorney, and held the office till it was merged in that 
of District Attorney. 

Peter Brown Hunt, Esq., was born at Rehoboth, (now See- 
konk,) February 1, 1794 ; graduated at Brown University, 
September, 1816 ; was admitted to both the Massachusetts and 
Rhode Island bars ; commenced practice in Seekonk in 1819, 
and died April 28, 1831. 

Ezra WilJcinson, Esq., was born in Wrentharn, (Mass.,) 
graduated at Brown University ; practiced law for a while at 
Seekonk, and then removed to Dedham, (Mass.) where he is 
now in the practice of bis profession. 



PHYSICIANS. 

[Of some of our Physicians I am able to give little more than the name, 
without being able to tell the time they were in town, where they were born, 
&.C. ; but the little that I could gather, is here inserted.] 

In July, 1663, the town sent an invitation to Samuel Fuller, 

* These notices, as well as those of Physicians and Graduates, which fol- 
low, are not so complete as I could wish, for want of sufficient materials at 
hand. 

35 



274 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

a physician residing at Plymouth, to come and settle at Reho- 
both ; but whether he accepted the invitation or not, I am not 
able to determine ; though, as his name does not occur on the 
town books, if he came, he could not have resided here long. 

The Rev. David Turner occasionally practiced medicine, in 
addition to the duties of the clerical profession. 

Col. Thomas JBowen, who lived about the time of Mr. Tur- 
ner, was also a distinguished physician. 

Dr. Joseph Bridgham lived in the part of Rehoboth now 
Seekonk ; practiced medicine, and died December 4, 1789, 
aged 57. The Hon. Samuel Bridgham, mayor of the city of 
Providence, is a son of Dr. Bridgham. 

Dr. Isaac Fowler settled in Rehoboth about fifty-tw^o years 
since, and commenced the practice of medicine. He married, 
March 30, 17S6, Miss Vashti Bi'ow^n, daugliter of Dea. John 
Brown, of Rehoboth, and had twelve children. He was res- 
pectable in his profession, and distinguished for his humanity 
and benevolence. He died March 8, 1808, in the 49th year of 
his age. Mrs. Fowler died April 18, 1832, in the 66th year 
of her age. 

Dr. John Frederick Rodliff, was born in Germany ; settled 
in the part of Rehoboth now Seekonk, in the practice of medi- 
cine ; and died June 13, 1808, in the 59th year of his age. 

Dr. James Bliss was born at Rehoboth, April, 1757 ; studied 
medicine with Drs. Brownson and Blackinton ; commenced prac- 
tice in Wrentham, at about the age of twenty-one, and remained 
there one year, during which time he was married to Miss Han- 
nah Guild, of Attleborough ; then removed to Rehoboth, where 
he was very successful in his profession, and esteemed as a skil- 
ful physician. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah Deane, of Digh- 
ton. He had twelve children, all by his first wife. At the age of 
about nineteen, he was for several months surgeon's mate in 
Col. Carpenter's regiment, in the war of the Revolution. He 
w^as a man of sound judgment, strict integrity, and great indus- 
try and economy. He died, September 29, 1834. 



PHYSICIANS. 275 

Dr. George A. Bolton, a skilful physician, who resided in 
that part of Rehoboth now Seekonk. He received a medical 
degree at Brown University, in 1817. 

Dr. Thayer practiced medicine for a while in Re- 
hoboth (now Seekonk), whence he removed to the west. His 
wife was Miss Caroline Matilda Warren, somewhat celebrated 
as a writer. She wrote ' The Gamester/ with some other small 
works of fiction. She wrote in the Providence Patiiot, some 
very pretty poetry under the signature of the ' Maid of the 
Grove.' 

George TV. Bliss, M. D., a native of Rehoboth, was the son 
of Capt. Asa, and Mrs. Polly Bliss ; received a medical diplo- 
ma at Brown University in 1822, and commenced practice in 
Seekonk, August, 1823. He died March 29, 1829, aged 39 
years. 

Dr. Addington Davenport, was the first practitioner in Paw- 
tucket, Mass. ; commenced about 1805 or 1806; married Miss 
Eliza N. Kegj^^eday, only daughter of Mr. David Kenneday, of 
Pawtucket. He died about the year 1813. He was a man 
well read in his profession, as also in history and poetry ; and 
possessed a fine literary taste. 

Dr. TVheelock, the second physician of Pawtucket, removed 
to the village, and remained there about two years, (1813 and 
1814). He finally removed for want of patronage. He mar- 
ried a Miss Allen. 

Artemas Johnson, M. D., graduated at Brown University, 
commenced practice about the year 1815; married the widow 
of Dr. Davenport. He died December, 1827. 

Dr. Isaac Hartshorn, commenced the practice of medicine in 
Pawtucket. in ] 828, and after remaining about two years, re- 
moved to Providence. 

Dr. Darius Carpenter, was born at Rehoboth, in the part 
now Seekonk, October 4, 1785 ; studied medicine with Dr. 
George A. Bolton, of Seekonk ; attended medical lectures at 
Brown University, but took no degree ; commenced practice in 



276 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

Seekonk in 1816. He married Miss Anna Carpenter, of See- 
konk, November 9, 1817 ; died of pulmonary consumption, 
July 16, 1833. 

Dr. John S. Galiip, practiced medicine a short time in See- 
konk, and then removed to Woodstock, N. H., where he is 
now in practice. 



Practicing Physicians. 

Dr. Royal Carpenter was born at Rehoboth ; studied medi- 
cine with Dr. Isaac Fowler; commenced practice in Rehoboth 
in 1808 J was married in 1834. 

Dr. Calvin Martin, Seekonk. 

Dr. TheopMliis Hutchins, Seekonk. 

Dr. Bullock, Rehoboth. 

Menzias R. Randall, M. D., was born at Easton, Mass., 
received a medical degree at Harvard University, and also at 
Brown, September, l8rM, and commenced practice in Rehoboth 
the same year. He married Miss Eliza Edson of Easton, who 
died Jan. 8, 1833. In JMarch 1834, he was again married to 
Miss Almira Guild, also of Easton. 

Draper Carpenter, M. D., was the son of Daniel Carpen- 
ter, and born in Rehoboth, (now Seekonk,) December 30, 
1791 ; graduated at Brown University, September, 1821 ; re- 
ceived a medical diploma at the same institution in 1824; com- 
menced practice in Seekonk in the same year, and in Pawtuck- 
et in 1827. 

Ira Barrows, M. D., graduated at Brown University, Sep- 
tember, 1824: commenced the practice of medicine in Paw- 
tucket, in 1827 ; and married Miss Frances A. Bartlett, of 
Smiihfield, only daughter of Mr. Oliver Bartlett. 

Benoni Carpenter, M. D., was born at Rehoboth, March 



GRADUATES OF BROWN UNIVERSITY. 277 

12, 1805; graduated at Brown University, September, 1829 ; 
received the degree of M. D. at the University of Pennsylva- 
nia (Philadelphia) ; commenced the practice of medicine in 
Seekonk, August, 1832; married Miss Adeline Everett of 
Wrenlham, June 4, 1833. 



GRADUATES OF BROWN UNIVERSITY. 

[This list is doubtless incomplete, as there were probably graduates at this 
institution from Rehoboth at an earlier date than 1791 ; and there may be 
some since that date, whose names I have not obtained.] 

Grad- 
uated. 

1791. Hon. James Ellis. [See sketch of Lawyers.] 

1796. Col. Abraham Blanding, Esq., born at Rehoboth, No- 
vember 18, 1775. After graduating he studied law with 
Judge Brevard, of Camden, S. C, where he commenced 
the practice of law, and continued till 1815 or 1816, then 
removed to Columbia, S. C. He married, about the year 
1808, Miss Betsy Martin, of Camden, who died in 1812. 
He afterwards married Miss Mary Caroline Desaussure, 
of Columbia. 

1798. Rev. Otis Thompson. [See Ecclesiastical Hist, of Re- 
hoboth. 

1801. William Blanding, M. D., born at Rehoboth, Februa- 
ry 27, 1773; graduated at Brown University, in 1801 ; 
studied medicine ; practiced a short time in Attleborough ; 
then removed to Camden, S. C. ; in 1805, married 
Susan Carpenter, daughter of Capt. Caleb Carpenter, of 
Rehoboth, who died in 1809. He afterwards married 
Miss Rachel Willet, of Philadelphia, in which city he now 
resides. 

1805. Rev. Sylvester S. BucWin, born at Rehoboth (in the 
part now Seekonk), now minister of a Congregational 
church in Marlborough, (Mass.) 



278 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

1805. John StarTiweathcr, M. D. son of the late Hon. Oliver 
Starkweather, of Pawtucket, now practicmg physician in 
Upton, Worcester county, (Mass.) 

1810. Collins Darling, Esq. [See sketch of Lawyers.] 

1812. Rev. Josephus Whcaton. [See Biographical Sketches.] 

181C. Peter Brown Hunt, Esq. [See sketch of Lawyers.] 

1816. Rev. Thomas Vernon. [See Ecclesiastical Hist, of 
Rehoboth. 

1816. Caleh Miller, M. D., now deceased, took only a medi- 
cal degree at this institution, — was distinguished as a phy- 
sician and surgeon. 

1817. George A. Bolton, M. D. [See sketch of physicians.] 

1820. Horatio G. Wheaton, [See Biographical Sketches.] 

1821. Rev. James O. Barney. . [See Ecclesiastical Hist, of 
Seekonk.] 

1821. Draper Carpenter, M. D. [See sketch of Physi- 
cians. 

1821. Rev. Augustus B. Reed, son of Dea. Augustus Reed, 
of Rehoboth, settled pastor over a Congregational church 
in Ware, (Mass) ; married Miss Borden of Fall- 
river. 

1822. Thomas Kinnicutt, Esq., born in Rehoboth (now See- 
konk) ; now a lawyer at Worcester, (Mass.) 

1822. Samuel Starkweather, Esq., son of the late Hon. Oli- 
ver Starkweather, of Pawtucket ; was tutor one year in 
Brown University ; now in the practice of law at Cleave- 
land, (Ohio), and collector and inspector of that port. 

1822. George W. Bliss, M. D. [See sketch of Physicians.] 



I 



GRADUATES OF BROWN UNIVERSITY. 279 

1824. Ira Barroivs, M. D. [See sketch of Physicians.] 

1824. George A. Bucldin, son of Mr. George Bucklin, was 
born at Rehoboth (now Seekonk) ; graduated at Brown 
University, September, 1824 ; first read law, thea 
studied medicine with Dr. Wells, of Columbia, S. C. ; 
died of yellow fever, in 1829, while on his passage from 
New Orleans to Texas. 

1824. Shuhael Peck, born at Rehoboth ; died soon after he 
left the university. 

1824. Johnson Gardner, M. D., now practicing physician in 
Pawtucket, R. I., was the son of Mr. James Gardner, of 
Rehoboth, and born November 22, 1799. He entered 
Brown University, and pursued the principal part of the 
regular course of study ; but, being obliged by ill health 
to suspend for a while his studies, he left the University 
before taking the first degree. He afterwards studied 
medicine with Dr. Lewis Wheaton of Providence ; re- 
ceived the degree of M. D. at Brown University, in 
1824 ; commenced practice in Pawtucket, in September of 
the same year; and married, June 8, 1829, Miss Phebe 
Lawton Sisson, only child of Mr. Aaron Sisson, of See- 
konk. 

1824. Menzias R. Randall, M. D. [See sketch of Physi- 
cians.] 

1824. Hiram Bucklin, M. D., son of Mr. George Bucklin, 
of Seekonk, received a medical degree at Brown Univer- 
sity in 1 824 ; now practicing physician at Valley Falls, 
Smithfield, R. I. 

1824. Rev. Benjamin C. Wade, horn at Seekonk; graduated 
at Brown University, September, 1824; was settled as 
the minister of a Baptist church, in Woburn, (Mass.) 

1826. Zeyial Bliss, A. M., son of Jonathan Bliss, of Reho- 
both, deceased ; read a course of law ; but is now engag- 
ed in manufactures, in Johnson, R. I. 



I 



280 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

1829. Benoni Carpenter, M. D. [See sketch of Physi- 
cians.] 

1829. WiUiam Blanding Carpenter, A. B., born at Seekonk 
in 1810; graduated at Brown University, September, 
1829, (with the salutatory addresses) ; commenced the 
study of medicine with Dr. Usher Parsons, of Providence ; 
died of hermorrbage from the lungs, January 3, 1830. 
He was a scholar of fine promise. 



APPENDIX. 



A. p. 54. 



The following notice of the Rev. Sanniel Newman is found in " Wood's 
Athf,n.e kt Fasti Oxomenses,"3(I edition, London, 4to. 1817, with addi- 
tions by Pliilip Bliss, Esq. Fellow of St. John's Collef>e, vol. III. p. G48.* 

" Samuel Newman, a learned divine of his time, received some educa- 
tion in this university ; but, being puritanically atfected, he left it, went 
into New England, became a Congregational man, minister of the cburch 
of Reholioth there, a zealous man in the way he professed, indefatigable 
in his studies, and marvclously read in the holy scriptures. He hath 
written, 

'■^ A Concordance of the Bible. Lond. 1G43, 50. in a large thick fol. 
[!?o(ll. C. 2. !). Th. 15. S. Printed also at Cambridge, 1682, Bodl. G. 6. 
17. Th.] and dying in December, or thereabouts, in sixteen hundred and 
sixty and three, was buried at Kelioboth. — I find one Sam. Newman, 
born at or near Chadlington, in Oxlijrdshire, who was entered into Mayd. 
coll. in the condition, as it seems, of a servitour, in the latter end of 1616, 
aged 16 years, and to have taken a degree in arts as a member of S. Edm. 
hall, and soon after to have left the luuversity. Whether this Sam. New- 
man be the same with him who wrote the Co7icordance before mentioned, 
I cannot affirm, [)ecanse I have been informed by the letters of Mr. In- 
crease jMather, ]tresident of Harvarden coll. in New England, dated 6 
Jan. 1690, that he thinks Mr. Sam. Newman, author of the Concordance, 
was born in Yorkshire, and that [as he takes it,] he was iu the 65tli year 
of his age when he died." 

" [Samuel Newman was born at Banburv, 1600; ob. in New England 
July 5, my^. V. Hist, of ,Vew England, lib. 3, Baker.] " JVotc by the Ed. 

" [I slioidd not have otlered my readers this meagre note, but Cotton 
Mather's History ojWciv England is not in the J3odleian library. 1 have, 
however, hopes that the next editor of the Athene may have the use of 
the book, since I have repeatciUy urged the propriety of procm-ing it.] " 

Jbid. 

The following is an extract from a letter of Anthony Wood, author of 

* Tliere is a copy of this edition of the "Athene," in the library of Harvard Uni- 
versity, and also in the splendid private library of I'homas Dowscj-Esq. — Cambridge- 
port. 

36 



J282 APPENDIX. 

" AxHENic ET Fasti Oxonienses," to Rev. Dr. Increase Mather, respect- 
ing Mr. Newman ; and may be found in the Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. VII. p. 
187, New Series. 

" Sir your kind and civil letter I have received for which I doe by these 
returne yon thanks. As for the age of Sam. Newman (65) it agrees with 
my manuscript, but the county, you say wherein he was borne (York- 
shire) doth not. For my Sam. Newman, whom I take to be him of Re- 
hoboth and author of the Concordance, was borne in Oxfordshire." 

The letter of which this is an extract is dated 

" From mv lorlginj neare 
Werton Coll. in Oxford. 
1:2 June, 1090." 

Wood was probably misled by the incorrectness of the date of the 
death of Mr. Newman, and his age, erroneously stated to him by Dr. 
Mather, to su])})ose the two Samuel Newmans mentioned in his sketch 
might be different individuals; whereas it is very evident, that the 
accounts both relate to the same jierson, and that the " Sam. Newman," 
who " entered Magd. coll. in the condition of a servitour," in 1616, at the 
age of 16, was the same with " him of Rehoboth, and author of tlie Con- 
cordance." 

B. p. 55. 

The following is the title-page of the third edition, London, 1658, with 
an extract from one of the two advertisements to the reader. 

A LARGE 
AND C031 PLEAT 

CONCORDANCE 

TO THE BIBLE 

/JV EJ\rOLISH. 

According to the last Translation. 

A like Worke formerly performed by CLEMENT COTTON. 

Now this third impression corrected and annexed in many things form- 
erly omitted, for the good both of Scholars and others ; far exceeding 
the most perfect that was ever extant in our Language, 
both in ground-work and building. 

By SAMUEL NEWMAN, now Teacher of the Church at Rehoboth in Mw- 
England. 

The manifold use and benifit of this Work is sufficiently declared in the 
PREFACES to the READER. 

John, 5,39. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye tMnk ye have eternal life ; and they ure they 

ichich testifie of me. 
Acts, 11, 17. These loere more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word 

with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things 

were so. 

LONDON, 

Printed for Thomas Dowme?, and Andrew Croak, and are to be eold at the Green Dragon 
in St. Paul's Church-yard. 

1658. 



APPENDIX. 



283 



The first advertisement to the reader is written by Daniel Featly ; 
and the second (for there are two,) by W. Gouge. 

The following is an extract from the latter, giving an account of the 
concordances that had been written in English, previous to this one. 

"There have been many years since English Indexes of proper Hebrew 
and Greek names, with their significations, and Ihbles of the princi])al 
points contained in the Bible ; and some so large, as they carry the Title 
o{ Concordances ; ( amongst which the hr\e( Concordance lately collected 
by Mr. John Dorordmm, Bachelor in Divinity, and allowed by Authority to 
be bound with the Bible in all Volumes, may well deserve the precedency;) 
yet have they come short of j)erfect Concordances^ 

Then follows an account of the concordance compiled by Clement 
Cotton. " He made his first essay in the year 1622, on the New Testa- 
ment, according to the English Translation, begun at Geneva, in Queen 
Marie's dayes, by such learned divjnes as there found great entertainment ; 
and in the year 1G27, he added thereunto a Concordance of the Old Tes- 
tament, according to tlie last and best English Translation. But oliserving 
how inconvenient it was, that one part of his Concordance should be of 
one Translation, the other of another, like the Bear, he still continued to 
lick over his works ; and in the year 1631, published A compleat Concor- 
dance of the whole Bible, according to the aforesaid last Translation." 
He next added to these a concordance of the Apocrypha. Cotton's, 
however, the writer states to be deficient in many respects, and points 
out the particidars ; but says that Newman's is more perfect than any be- 
fore published in the English language. 

On the outside of the first lid is stamped in gilt letters 

SVB 
AVSPICHS 
WILHEMI 

in. 

On the back is stamped Newman's Concordance. 

C. p. 55. 

The following is the statement referred to, in the life of the Rev. Hugli 
Peters by the Rev. Samuel Peters, L. L. D. in which the authorship of 
the Concordance written at Rehoboth (or Seekonk), is ascribed to Cruden. 

"The Rev. Mr. Cruden, an eminent scholar in the university of Cam- 
bridge, England, being a meek and pious man, but also a puritan, emi- 
grated to Boston and was settled by Dr. Mather and Mr. Cotton, at a i»lace 
called Rehoboth, four miles east of the town of Providence, in the state 
of Rhode Island, the most barren soil in Massachusetts; for Mather and 
Cotton acted like moderators or bisho])s at that time in Boston, and named 
the town Rehoboth, because the word means, " the Lord hath made room 
for his beloved." It also was a frontier against the Pequod Indians, at the 
head of a creek em])tying into Narragansett bay ; where were plenty of 
fish and oysters, on which the settlers might live and protect Boston, if 
the Indians did not scalp them. 

"This pious clergyman, with his pious com]ianions, not knowing their 
danger, went and formed the settlement of Rehoboth : the scite being 
pleasant, the air salubrious, and the ])rospect horrible. But the imiocence 
of Cruden and his followers conciliatecl the savages, and they became 
friendly. They built a church, and encircled it with a set of houses like 
a half moon, facing the creek, where they worshipped the Creator with 



284 APPENDIX. 

great devotion, and Cniden tauglit tlieir children tlie arts and sciences 
gratis. That town is yet famous in New-England for the education of its 
children. In that l^arren soil, Cruden spent a nsefid life, and made to him- 
self a name in tlie christian church, that will last as long as the Bihie. 
There he formed the first Concordance of the Old and New Testaments, 
which was ever made in the English tongue. It was ado])t('d and printetl 
by the university of Cambridge in England, and, with additions and im- 
provements, has passed through many editions, still under the name of 
Cruden's Concordance. 

" The ingenuity and Herculean lalior disjdajed in this necessary index 
of the bible even astonished the old and new Avorld : but ('ruden got no 
money for the copy, either in New or Old England; yet he gained ever- 
lasting fairie in Christendom, and Butler, in his liudibras, fixed immortal- 
ity on Cruden's wisdom, ])erseverance and patience, in tnaking his Con- 
cordance, at Rehoboth, bordering on Seckonk Plain, us barren as the 
JVumidian sands, by his sarcastic distich ; viz. 

" Hehrcw roots arc found 



" To flourish best in barren ground." 

Alluding to Cruden's ingenuity at Rehoboth, and to the wisdom of JMoscs 
on Mount Sinai. 

" Cruden's posterity are numerous and resjiectable in New-England. 
His eldest son retiuuied to England, and was nuich esteemed Ijoth in the 
pulpit and out of it ; and one of his sons was the eminent and venerable 
})resbyterian nfinister of the church near Covent Garden, so highly insulted 
by Lord George Gordon, one of his ])arishioners in 1780, because he ])rayed 
extempore, and sung by i)ook, and ])reached by notes; which his lordship 
said, j^roved an absurdity, fijr Cruden ])rayed by the Spirit, but did not 
sing and ])reach by the Spirit." 

It would be a waste of time to merely point out the errors in this short 
statement ; and besides, they are too gross and apparent to escape the most 
casual observation. The extract is made only to sliow its absiu'dity, and 
as a curiosity, to excite the surprise of the reader, that an author, though 
he sought not for truth, should not sometimes, by accident at least, stmiihle 
upon it. IIow otu" author could have confounded the events in the lives 
of two individuals, who lived at the distance of a centiu-yfrom each oth- 
er, it is inip(!ssil)le to conceive; as well as to detect in the ijuotation from 
Biuler, any very obvious reference, to either Newman, Cruden, Moses, or 
Seckonk Plain. The following are the lines referred to: the poet, in set- 
ting forth the literary acrpiirements of his hero, says, 

" For Hebrew roots, aitho' thevTe found 
To flourisli most in barren ground, 
He had sucli plenty, as sufHc'd 
To make some think him rirrumrised." 

Hudibras, Ft. I., Cant. I., line 59. 

The following quotation froiTi " Jolmsori's irondcr-working Providence 
of Sion''s Savior, in JVetv-Ensrland,''^ if deficient in poetiml excellence, is 
at least more definite as to the person it would immortalize ; and, as J\Ir. 
Peters has attemitted toctdl for our worthy minister a sjjrig of iinniortal- 
it)", (thouiih he made a slight mistake in the name,) Ave shall be excused 
for reaching forth the band to pluck another, bearing his own image and 
supei'scription. VVe give it by way of curiosity. 



APPENDIX. 285 

'■ With little flork doth Newman park away;* 
The righteous Hps sure might a many feed ; 
Remov'st for gaine ? it's most where most men stay ; 
Men part for land, why laud least helps at need." 

' Chap. X.p. 130. 

[We here give a brief notice of the Factories, &c. in Rehobotli and 
Seekonk, the materials for which were not obtained in season to be in- 
serted in their proper place.] 

Orleans Factory. The Cotton Factory on Pahner's River, Reho- 
both, is situated at the head of tide water, and was luiilt in the year 1811, 
by a comjjany which was afterwards incorporated by the name of tlie 
" Pahner's River Manufacturing Co." Tlie principal stock-holders in this 
company were, Asa Bidlock, and Barnard Wlieeler, Esqs. and Capt. Israel 
Niciiols and others of Rchoboth; Thomas Church and John How, Esqs. 
and Capt. Benjamin Norri.s, of Bristol; and Richmond Bullock, Esq. of 
Providence. The business of manufacturing cotton was prosecuted by 
this comj)any with various success for a number of years, when they 
leased out the estate to Mr. Nathan Sweetland for several years, until 
about 1821 or 1822 ; at which time they sold out the whole Company's 
property to Ebenezer Idc and others. They continued the business under 
the name of the Ide Manufacturing Co. until 1825, when they became 
embarrassed and sold the real and personal estate separately. David Wil- 
kinson, Esqr. and others purchased the real estate, and gave it a thoroiiLdi 
ref)air and |)ut in new machinery, consisting of 48 looms with spindles 
and preparation to supply them. The spindles consisted entirely of the 
kind called mules, and this was the first successful attem})t to use this 
kind of sj)indles, for warp as well as weft in this country. This com- 
pany assumed the name of the "Orleans Manufacturing Co." and com- 
menced the making of fine cloths for calico printing, which were then in 
good demand. They continued to prosecute that business with gooil 
success, until the memorable embarrassments which pervaded the man- 
ufacturing interest throughout New England, in 1829 and 1830, when 
Messrs. David Wilkinson and Co. who were the principal owners, failed, 
and the estate was sold to Mr. Benjamin Peck, (who had been concerned 
in the former company,) and others %vho continued the business imder 
the same name, until November 10, 1832, when the principal factory 
building was entirely consumed by fii-e with the most part of the ma- 
chinery. The same company rebuilt the mill the year following ujjon 
the same foundation with stone. It is 72 feet by 40, two stories higli, 
with attic and basement stories, and contains 60 looms, with spindles aiul 
preparation to sujjply the same. It is now owned by Messrs. Benjamin 
Peck and James H. Mumford of Rehoboth, and Asa Pierce, Esq. of 
Providence. 

Rehoboth Union Manufacturing Company. The building of this 
company was erected in 1809. The company consisted of Dexter 
Wheeler, Richard GofI", Stej)hen Carpenter, Thomas Carj)enter, 'James 
Carpenter, and Peter Carpenter. The number of .spindles is 3G0, hands, 
about 14, and the number of pounds of yarn manufactured per week is 
550. The principal owners now are Nelson and Darius GofT, and Ste- 

^ Referring to his removal, with a purl of lils church, from Weymouth to Seekonk. 



286 APPENDIX. 

phen Carpenter. The first agent was .Tames Carpenter, the second, David 
Anthony, and the present is William Marvel. 

Seekonk Central Factory was erected in the spring of 1810. The 
present occupants are Henry Stone 6c Co. They manufacture from 6 
to 7 thousand yards of sheeting per week, and employ 60 hands. The 
number of spindles is 2009, and of looms, 42. This factory is situated on 
the ten-mile river, one mile from its mouth. 

Hunt's Mills, Seekonk, embrace a Grist and Saw Mill, Carding Ma- 
chines, Clothier's Works, and a small Cotton Factory. This factory runs 
864 spindles, 21 looms, manufactures printing cloths, and emjiloys about 
20 hands. It was erected in 1822. 

Cove Factory, Seekonk, contains. 3000 spindles and 72 looms, employs 
about 60 hands, and manufactures cloths, of No. 30. The present occu- 
pants are J3osvvorth, Blake & Co. 

[Robert the Hermit. Since the account of Robert the Hermit, 
found in our Biographical Sketches, was in type, I have been favored, 
through the kindness of Albert G. Greene, Esq. of Providence, with some 
farther yiarticulars respecting the life of that anchorite after the date of 
the j)ublication of the Memoir from which our account was derived. 
They are as follows :] 

Soon after the publication of the "Narrative," by Mr. Trumbull, in 
1829, the ])roceeds from the sale of which were intended for the relief of 
Robert, Mr. T. contracted with a carpenter to build a comforta- 
ble dwelling for him. While this was in progress, the hut in whicii he 
dwelt was consumed by fire, originating in the carelessness or mischief 
of some idle boys. After the loss of liis hut, Robert was prevailed u])on 
to take up his quarters in a neighboring house, until his own was com- 
pleted. He removed to his new dwelling, in the winter of 1830. His 
health soon after began to fail, and his illness terminated in consumption. 
In March 1832, it was remarked by the occupants of the toll-house at the 
" Lower Bridge," as it is called, that he had not been seen for several 
days; and on going to his house, they found him in an almost dying con- 
dition. He said that he had not suffered much, except from the want of 
water. Every assistance was rendered him until his death, which took 
place on Sunday, April 1, 1832. 

The following are exact fac-similes of the original signatures of three 
of the signers of the compact for the government of the town, found at 
page 28; viz. JVulter Palmer, Ralph Shtphtrd, and the Rtv. Samuel 
jVewman. 



w 






INDEX. 



Abell, Robert, ordered to keep an ordinary ^j45. 47 

Academy (Pawtucket.) 239 

Angier, Rev. Samuel,. 119. 121. 124. 129, 130. 208 

Annawan, capture and death of, 104-116 

Annawan's rock, 104-5 

Attleborough, [see Rehoboth North Purchase.] 

Attleborough Gore, 1 ; battle on, 87. 94 

Bank (Pawtucket,) 239 

Barney, Rev. James O 228 

Black.stone, Mr William, 2-14 

Blackstone, Mrs. Sarah, 7,8 

Blackstone, John, 12, 13 

Brick-rnaker, 59. 67 

Bridge (Pawtucket,) 23!>. 242 

Brown, Mr. John, 35. 45, 46-7. 52-3 

Brown, James, 53. 75. 78 

Brown University, graduates of, 277-280 

Burying-places, 120, 121 

Canonchet, capture and death of, 97. 101 

Carnes, Rev. John, 141.208. 213 

Chair, Philip's, anecdote of, 96 

Church, Capt. or Col 75. 81-2, 85-6, 105. 116 

Clark, Rev. Henry, 229 

Classical Institute (Seekonk,) 230 

Comer, Rev. John, 180-5 

Comjjact signed by the first settlers of Rehoboth, 28 

Concordance, Newman's, 55-6. 281-5 

Confirmation Deed of the Colony, 122-5 

Cotton, Rev. John, letter of, 101-2 

Cotton Factories, 237-9. 285-6 

Courts established at Rehoboth, 40 

Deed of Wamsitta or Alexander, 51 

Deed of Philip, 64-6 

Deed of William Bradford, 125-9 

Deer, 139 

Deputies to Plymouth Court, list of, 168-9 

Division of land, 27. 34. 33. 48-9. 67 



288 IN"DEX. 

EccLF.siASTicAL Affairs. Hchoboth. First Congregational Church, 173-180. 

Baptist Churches — Oak Swani]» Church, 180-5. 

Round's Church, 1 85— Reformed Methodist, 186, 

Iron's Church, 18(3-7 — Hick's Church, 187-9 — 

Pierce's Church, 189. 

Srekonk. Congregational Church. 203. 228 — 

Baptist Church, 228. 23"!. 

Pnwtucliet. Elder Potter's Church, 243-4 — 

Elder Green's Cinirch, 245 — Conoreo-ational 

Church, 245-0. 

Eldridge, Rev. Joseph S 18G 

Ellis, Rev. John, 213. 227 

Fast proclaimed on the eve of Philip's War, copy of the proclamation, 7!) 

Fences, 24. 30. 32. 3(J, 37. (30 

Fighting Town Meeting, account of, 160-7 

Fisheries, 38. 157. 201 

Fowler, Sanuiel Metcalf, 247-8 

Fuller, Dr. Samuel, 53 

Garrison-houses, 77-8 

Goats, 40 

Grafton, Rev. Benjamin, 2211 

Grass, time of mowing regulated, 45. 61 

Grain, prices of, 43, 44. 5!J. 139 

Green, Rev. Daniel 245 

Greenwood, Rev. Thomas, 121). 131. 136. 208 

Greenwood, Rev. John, 136, 137. 140-J . 2U8 

Hazel, John, 22, 23, 24, 37 

Hicks, Rev. John, 187 

Hicks, Rev. Daniel, 187 

Highways, 32. 40, 41, 42. 45. 139. 200 

HiU, Rev. John, 228 

Holmes, Obadiah, 46. 63. 205-7 

Hopkins, Rev. Asa T. 245-6 

Hunt, Lieut. Ephraim, bequest of, 1 76 

Hyde, Rev. Ephraim, 141. 2J3 

Indians, 35. 43, 44. 49, 50-1 , 52. GO. 69. 72-1 18 

Indian 'War 72-1 18 

Irons, Rev. Jeremiah, 186 

Johnson, Rev. Lorenzo D 186 

Jones, Rev. John P 229 

Labor, prices of regulated by the town, , 29 

Laws publicly read by order of the Governor, 1 24 

Lawyers, sketches of, 273 

Library of Mr. William Blackstone, , 8 

Long Meeting, 214-227 

Lyceum (Seekonk,) 230 

Magistrates first appointed at Rehoboth, 47 

Manton'sNeck, 17. 30. 38 

Martin, Rev. Daniel, 1S9 

Mason, Sampson, 48 

Maxwell, Rev. Samuel 1^4 

M'Cloth, Rev. Benjamin, ]f^(> 

Meeting-houses, 26.41.49.72.132.139 



INDEX. 289 

Millard, Rev. Nathaniel, 184 

Military Stores, 43. 70. 146-7. 159. 167 

Military company first organized, 44 ; its officers, 45. 

Ministers 21. 54-8, 59. 61, 62, 63-4. 68-9. 71 . 87. 119, 120. 

130. 136. 141. 174. 189. 204. 230. 243-6. 

Mowry, Rev. J. S 187 

Myles (or Miles,) Rev. John, 61, 62, 63-4 

Newman, Rev. Samuel, 21. 25. 28. 31. 46. 48. 54-8. 205, 281-5, 286 

Newman, Rev. Noah, 57-8. 68-9. 71. 87. 119, 120. 208 

letter of, respecting Pierce's Fight, 91-2 

Nine Men's Misery, 94-5 

North Purchase (Rehoboth,) 1, 49; boundaries of, 50; deed of, 51 ; items, 60, 

61,62.66,67.70. 122. 
Northorp, Rev. William, 189 

Paine, Rev. John, 185 

Palmer's River, neighborhood of, 134, 135 

Parsonage built, 59 

Pawtucket, meaning of the word 2; town incorporated 231 ; description of the 
village and falls of, 234-6. 

Peck, Mr. Joseph, 47 

Philip (King) gives a quit claim of Rehoboth, 64-6 ; permits his men to march 
out to Swansey to annoy the English, 76 ; attacks the English 
at Swansey, 80-4 ; crosses Seekonk Plain, and is attacked by 
the people of Rehoboth, headed by the Rev. Noah Newman, 87; 
burns Rehoboth, 95-6. 

Physicians, 53. 118. 131. 139 

Physicians, sketches of, - 273-7 

Pierce, Capt. Michael, fights with the Indians, and is slain with nearly all his 

men, 87.94 

Pitman, Rev. John 229 

Poor-house, 1 aS. 1 59 

Potter, Rev. Ray, 243-4 

Pounds, 47. 139 

Quit-claim deed of King Philip, G4-6 

Quit-claim deed of William Bradford, 125-9 

Rehoboth, original extent of, 1 ; meaning of the word, 31 ; purchased of Mas- 
sasoit, 21-3 ; first permanent settlement of, 23-5 ; incorporated, 31 ; 
burned by the Indians, 95-6 ; Seekonk taken from it, 167. 

Representatives, list of, 169. 171. 201-2. 242 

Revolutionary aifairs, .141-157 

Revolutionary Soldiers, alphabetical list of, 156-7 

Rock, Roger Williams', 19 ; Annawan's, 104-5 

Robert the Hermit, 249. 259. 286 

Robinson, Dr. Samuel 248-9 

Rogerson, Rev. Robert, , 176-7 

Round, Rev. David, 185 

Round, Rev. Sylvester, 185 

Sam the Indian, 60 

Schools, 119. 121, 122. 131, 132, 133, 134. 136. 138, 139. 141. 

157. 159, 160. 167, 168. 194. 201. 

Senators, lists of, 171 . 202. 2^12 

Seekonk, meaning of the word, 1 ; Roger Williams settles here, 17; Philip 
plans an attack upon, 73 ; the town incorporated, 191-2. 

Shav's Rebellion, 157-9 

^ 37 



290 INDEX. ; - 

Sheldon, Rev. James, 186 

Plater, Samuel, 236-7 

Smith, Dr. Nathan, 259. 266 

Spring, Roger Williams', 17. 18 

Stevenson, John, 8. 13, 14 

Study Hill, description of, 6 

Swansey, 1. 63-4. 76-7. 80-6 

Symes, Rev. Zachariah, 58-9. 61. 207 

Thompson, Rev. Otis, 177-9 

Town Clerks of Rehoboth, 42. 45. 49. 171-2 

Trip-hammer allowed to be set up, 133 

Turner, Rev. David, 137. 139, 174-5 

Vernon, Rev. Thomas, , 179 

Wachemoquit cove, 35 

Wachemoquit neck, 35. 37. 39 

Wampum used as currency, 43, 44. 49 

Wamsitta or Alexander sells Rehoboth North Purchase, 50-2 

Wannamoiset, 1. 35 

Wa wepoonseag, 7 

Welsh Records, 63 

West, Benjamin, 266-8 

Weymouth, notice of the first church at, 204-5 

Wharves built, 71. 134 

Wheaton, Rev. Josephus, 268-9 

Wlieaton, Horatio G 269 

Wild-cats, , 137, 138 

Williams, Roger, 14. 21 

Willett, Capt. Thomas, 50-2. 59. 269. 272 

Winchester, Rev. Elhanan, 187-9 

Wolves, 37. 44 

Woodcock's garrison,. • . .77-8 



1 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 



Attleborough. 

George Bliss. 
Jonathan Bliss. 
Joseph W. Capron. 
Zenas B. Carpenter. 
John Daggett, Esq. 
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Hartford Ide. 
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Boston, 

Rufus Adams. 

Alanson Bigelow. 

Alden Bradford, Esq. 

Le Baron Bradford, 2 copies. 

Amos Baker. 

Alfred Bragg. 

Thomas Burnham. 

C. C. Dean. 

Hon. John Davis. 

Samuel G. Drake. 

Rev. Joseph B. Felt. 

Nathan D. Hyde, 3 copies. 

Moses Kimball. 

Charles Lowell, D D. 

Hon. Nahum Mitchell. 

Dr. Richard D. Mott, 2 copies. 

Oliver L. Perkins. 

Capt. William C. Rogers. 

Hon. James Savage. 

Daniel P. Simpson. 

Lemuel Shattuck. 

Joseph A. Whitmarsh. 

Charles Whitney. 

Bristol, (R. L) 

Horatio Bullock. 
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Bridgevv^ater (East.) 

Bartholomew Brown, Esq. 
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Cambridge 

Frederick A. Eddy. 

Henry Chapin. 

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Rev. Jared Sparks. 

Concord, (N. H.) 

John Farmer, Esq. 

Cumberland, (R. L) 

Oren A. Ballou, A. M. 
Henry P. Baldwin. 
JohnB. Walker. 
Aaron White, jr. Esq. 

Dedham. 

Sylvester W. Talbot. 
Dr. Jesse Wheaton. 
David Wight. 
Ezra Wilkinson, Esq. 

DiGHTON. 

Samuel O. Case. 
Nathaniel Pierce, jr. 
Miss Maria M. Talbot. 

Fall River. 

Richard W. Batt. 
James L. Bliss. 
Hiram Bliss. 
Samuel Carpenter. 



292 



SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 



Samuel Chace. 
William I. Gray. 
John K. Read. 
Nathan Read. 

HlNGHAM. 

Hon. Solomon Lincoln. 

HOPKINTON. 

Elias Nason. 

Lexington. 

Ambrose Wellington. 

New Bedford. 

Daniel Ricketson, Esq. 

Pawtucket. 

William Allen. 
Joseph A. Allen. 
Holder Aimy. 
Edmund Bayley, Esq. 
Freeman Bahery. 
Philander Baker. 
Asa Bates. 
William Bayley. 
Nalium Bates, jr. 
Rev. David Benedict. 
Albert Bliss. 
Samuel P. Bliss. 
Draper Carpenter, M. D. 
Hiram W. Chase. 
C. R. Croade. 
Daniel R. Clarke. 
Edward W. Curtis. 
Addington Davenport. 
Edward Dana. 
Ira Draper. 
A. T. Dunham. 
Thomas Esten. 
William T. Esten. 
Ira D. Ellis. 
Squire French. 
Rev. Daniel Green. 
Johnson Gardner, M. D. 
Joseph Hale, A. M. 
Joseph Healy. 
Ferdinand llorton. 
Elijah Ingraham. 
Albert C. Jenks. 
Lewis T. Jenks. 
Mrs. £. N. Johnson. 
Henry W. Kingman. 
Seba Kent. 



Wellington Kent. 

F. F. Lefavour. 

Robert G. Levi'is. 

Barney Merry. 

William Mitchell. 

J. W. Miller. 

Horace Miller. 

Ellis B. Pitcher. 

Earned Pitcher. 

Charles B. Ripley. 

John B. Read. 

Alvin O. Read. 

Harvey G. Robinson. 

Hon. J. C. Starkweather, 3 copies. 

Jenerson Smitli. 

Simeon Smith. 

Elbridge G. Snow. 

Rodney Sibley, 3 copies. 

William Sweet. 

Rev. George Taft. 

Amos A. Tillinghast. 

Wheaton Ware. 

James Weeden. 

John H. Weeden, Esq. 

Russell D. Walker. 

John F. Walcott. 

Edward S. Wilkinson. 

David B. Warren. 

William W. Wilkinson. 

George Wilkinson. 

Philadelphia, (Pa.) 

Joshua Coffin. 

Plymouth. 

Hon. Nathaniel M. Davis. 
James Thacher, M. D. 
Winslow Warren, M. D. 

Providence, (R. I-) 

Oliver Angell. 

William Aplin. 

S. A. Aplin, jr. 

George Baker. 

Hon. Samuel W. Bridgham. 

Hon. Tristam Burges. 

Joseph R. Brown. 

John E. Brown. 

Samuel Billinofs. 

Calvin J. W. Bullock. 

Thomas F. Carpenter, Esq. 

Newton Carpenter. 

Josiah Chapin. 

Samuel Curry. 

Walter R. Danforth, Esq. 

George Dana. 



1 



SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 



293 



Thomas C. Glading. 
J. W. D. Hall. 
John Howland, Esq. 
Moses Brown Ives. 
Robert H. Ives. 
Samuel D. Lindsey. 
Charles E. Newell. 
Usher Parsons, M. D. 
Thomas Pierce, jr. 
Samuel W. Peckham, Esq. 
William E. Richmond, Esq. 
William R. Staples, Esq. 
Moses R. Suares. 
George A. Taylor. 
Samuel Thurber. 
William Viall. 
N. Viall, jr. 
Josiah Wardwell. 

Rehobotu. 

Caleb Barney. 
James Blanding, Esq. 
George Bliss, 2 copies. 
James Bliss, Esq. 
Elijah Bliss. 
Asahel Bliss. 
James Bliss, 3d. 
George W. Bliss. 
Adolphus F. Bliss. 
Ira Bliss. 

Benjamin Bowen, jr. 
Amos M. Bullock. 
Salmon D. Bullock. 
W. K. Bullock. 
Asaph Carpenter. 
Stephen Carpenter. 
William Carpenter. 
William Cole. 
George Cole. 
Simeon Cole. 
S. W. Drown. 
Israel Drown, jr. 
Daniel Edson. 
Otis Goff. 
Darius Horton. 
James Horton. 
Lewis L. Hicks. 
Elnathan Jones. 
William Marvel, 2d. 
James H. Mumford. 
Mrs. Hannah B. Peck. 
George W. Peck. 
Benjamin Peck. 
Gideon Peck. 
Gilbert Pierce. 
Noah Pierce. 
Cyreal Peck. 
Otis Perry. 



Levi Eaton, Esq. 

Hon. James Fenner. 

Albert G. Greene, Esq. 

Rufus W. Greene, Esq. 

Menzias R. Randall, M. D. 

Samuel W. Remington. 

Gustavus A. Read. 

John R. Rogerson. 

Farnum A. Sumner. 

Rev. Otis Thompson. 

Benjamin Thurber. 

Rev. Thomas Vernon, 2 copies. 

Joseph Watson. 

William H. Watson. 

William Watson. 

Jonathan Wheaton, jr. 

Col. Joseph Wheaton. 

N. Wever. 

Seekonk. 

Caleb Abell. 

Comfort Allen. 

Wheaton Allen. 

Otis Allyn. 

Lewis Allen. 

Rev. James O. Barney. 

Joseph C. Brown. 

John Brown. 

Henry Brown. 

Almond O. Bourne. 

William Bowen. 

Ebenezer Bishop. 

Miss Huldah Bucklin. 

Rev. Henry Clark. 

Benoni Carpenter, M. D. 

Penuel Carpenter. 

Sanger Grossman. 

Job Carpenter. 

Samuel S. Daggett. 

Miss Hannah B. Daggett. 

VTilham Ellis. 

Ezra French. 

Ezra W. French. 

George W. French. 

Church Gray. 

Simeon Grant. 

William Hammond. 

Thomas Handy. 

Allen Hunt, Esq. 

Daniel I. Hunt. 

Mrs. Sarah Hunt, 3 copies. 

William D. Hunt. 

William Ide. 

Jabel Ingraham. 

Mrs. Hannah Jacobs. 

Samuel Kent. 

Elnathan Lake. 

Obadiah Lyon. 



294 



SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 



Wheeler Martin, Esq. 
Dr. Calvin Martin. 
George A. Miller. 
Thomas Munroe, jr. 
Jesse Medbury. 
Zenas B. Newman. 
Edward Peck. 
Calvin J. Peck. 
Nelson Perren, M. D. 
John Perren. 
David Perren. 
Daniel Perren, ' 
Nathaniel Read, jr. 
David Ryder. 
Henry A. Stone. 
Mrs. Hannah Walker. 
Alfred Walker. 
Peter H. Wheaton. 
Joel Whitaker. 

Stow. 

Rufus Hosmer, Esq. 
Jonathan Newell, M. D. 

Tadnton. 

Hon. Francis Baylies. 



Thomas H. Carpenter. 
Benjamin R. Dean, Esq. 
Hon. James Ellis. 

Upton. 

Dr. John Starkweather. 

Valley Falls. (Smithfidd, R. I.) 

Adolphus Beals. 

Hiram Bucklin, M. D. 2 copies. 

Rev. Benjamin Fessenden. 

Watertown. 

Samuel Barnard, jr. 
Jeremiah Russell, jr. 

Warren, (R. I.) 

Alfred Bosworth. 

Rev. George Hathaway. 



4 



ERRATA. 

Page 



ao-e 10th, line 15th, for " in classic ground," read « on classic ground. 
" 48th, hnes 11 and 23d, for " 1757," read " 1657." 
« 57lb, line 33d, for " April 16, 1676," read " April 16, 1678. 



I 



e D '07 



i 



